Connacht’s bid to claim both Pool Two and the top qualifier spot in the Amlin Challenge Cup will see them facing chief rivals Montpellier at the Sportsground in Galway on Friday January 15th, with a 7pm kick-off.
Michael Bradley’s side kick-started a fine campaign in European rugby’s second tier with a 22-19 over the French Top 14 side at the Stade Yves du Manoir in October, with winger Fionn Carr grabbing two tries on the night.
They are now two points clear of Montpellier in Pool Two after completing a double-header over Worcester Warriors in Galway last Friday and will also be targeting the number one qualification spot and thus avoiding a clash against a Heineken Cup side in the last eight.
As things stand Connacht have 17 points, one behind Pool Three leaders Toulon, who face a tough trip to Saracens in the next round.
London Wasps are on the same mark as Connacht but travel to Paris to take on their main Pool Four rivals Racing next up.
Connacht finish up with a trip to Madrid on Saturday March 23rd to take on Olympus Rugby. That match has a 4pm kick-off (3pm Irish).
In a change to this year’s competition, the top-ranked qualifier in the Challenge Cup will host the fifth-placed pool winner.
The other three pool winners will take on the next best pool runners-up who don’t qualify for the Heineken Cup quarter-finals. The Challenge Cup sides will enjoy home advantage in these games.
