Connacht's European campaign gets under way on Saturday in the most unlikely of venues in the Challenge Cup's history. Pat Lam's men take on newcomers Enisei-STM from Siberia in Russia, marking an historic first for this European competition.
Connacht must overcome this Krasnoyarsk outfit which advanced through the qualifying rounds with an aggregate 63-3 win over Romania’s Baia Mare.
And Lam is expecting a physical battle against a side that has developed its skill levels during their last five challenge fixtures when the Russians have visited Galway.
“Every time they have visited, we have seen the improvement they have made.They have always been physically big men, but their understanding of the game and their skill level has just got better and better. While they may have been a surprise to a lot of people, we always knew they would be very strong.”
Enisei have never beaten Connacht during those visits over seven years – in most games, having been defeated by the Eagles. However, Lam has included as many senior players as possible in this trek, given injuries, and the difficulties in the 16-hour travel and expected -8 to -14 weather.
Given the conditions, Connacht will make full use of all the resources of their 24-man travelling squad. US Eagle AJ MacGinty is expected to make his first start, youngsters Rory Parata, Sean O'Brien, Ultan Dillane and James Connolly are also possible starters, backed by the experience of Bundee Aki, Ronan Loughney, Aly Muldowney, Denis Buckley and George Naoupu.
European Challenge Cup Pool One - Enisei-STM v Connacht Krasnoyarsk, Saturday, 9.0am (Irish-time)
CONNACHT (squad): D Leader, N Adeolokun, B Aki, P Robb, R Parata, C Ronaldson, J Carty, AJ MacGinty, I Porter, C Blade. Forwards, J Harris-Wright, D Heffernan, S Delahunt, C O'Donnell, R Loughney, D Buckley, F Bealham, A Muldowney, D Qualter, U Dillane, J Connolly, S O'Brien, G Naoupu, J Muldoon.
