As is often the way with it's football equivalent, the supposedly secondary Parker Pen European Shield can often mean bumping into sides which may be less celebrated than their European Cup counterparts but are actually in better form.
So it has come to pass that Connacht's resurgence will be put to the test when Steph Nel's depleted side face what seems like their most daunting task to date when they entertain the Sale Sharks this afternoon in Galway.
Sale are also unbeaten in this pool and lie second only to Leicester in the English Premiership. Winger Mark Cueto is the leading try scorer in the English premiership with five tries from five games.
Granted, they are without the injured Bryan Redpath and their star turn Jason Robinson.
Connacht will be without half their first-choice pack through the absence of Marnus Uijs, one of their primary ball carriers; captain and lock Mark McConnell; talented young number eight Des Dillon, and their exceptional young openside Johnny O'Connor.
It's no coincidence Connacht's results improved when O'Connor returned to their line-up, and although Junior Charlie is a favoured son in the province whose call-up underlines Connacht's new strength in depth, this looks to be a tough call for Nel's team.
CONNACHT: G Duffy; P Duignan, D Yapp, T Allnutt, W Munn; E Elwood, E Reddan, D McFarland, T Kearns, P Bracken, R Frost, D Browne, P Neville, C Rigney, J Charlie. Replacements: R McCormack, H Bourke, A Maher, M Swift, J Ferris, M McHugh, M McPhail.
SALE (possible): V Going; M Cueto, M Shaw, M Deane, S Hanley; C Hodgson, A Dickens; K Yates, A Titterell, S Turner, I Fullarton, S Lines, A Perelini, P Anglesea, S Pinkerton.
Referee: M Salera (Italy).
Formguide: Conacht - 18-6 v Narbonne (h), 20-10 v Roma (a). Sale - 93-0 v Roma (h), 13-10 v Narbonne (a).
Leading try scorers: Connacht - Wayne Munn, Marnus Uijs 1 each. Sale - Apollo Perelini 3.
Leading points scorers: Connacht - Eric Elwood 25. Sale - Charlie Hodgson 30.
Odds (Paddy Power): Handicap odds (= Connacht +15pts) 10/11 Connacht, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Sale.
Forecast: Sale to win.
