Challenge Cup Quarter-final preview: The third season in a row these two sides have met, the French connection continues. In 2001/2002 both games went with home advantage and it was the same in round two last season, Connacht advancing to the quarter-final with one point to spare.

So then, history tells us this will be a tough, two-leg contest with the spread of scores as important as the result itself. In that light, Connacht have a slight advantage - when they host Narbonne at the Sportsground the following week in the rematch, they will know exactly what they have to do to get to the semi-final.

From there on it's just two more winning rounds for a place in next year's European Cup and presumably more headaches for those who believe cost-cutting in Irish rugby should begin on the west coast.

Coach Michael Bradley has this week made just one change to his side, bringing in Conor McPhilips to the left wing. His policy of rotating players has been successful in the past and has kept the squad fresh.

Narbonne will test that severely and their 29-10 home win over London Irish last week points to a side confident of running up scores against good opposition. A Connacht v London Irish tie, though, would have had a certain attractive cachet.

Narbonne coach Jean-Francois Beltran feels his side's home game first up won't present a problem.

"The fact that we are home first this time does not change a thing. On Saturday, we know we have to win with as big a margin as possible because Connacht is not an easy place to play.

"The game plan that Marc Delpoux and I are putting into place is going well at the moment. We want the ball carriers to be a lot more present around the park and to stay on our feet. That way, an attack can begin anywhere on the pitch and you eliminate the danger zones."

In that respect former Ulster second row Mark Blair might be prominent. Blair played a full game last week at lock for Narbonne, who currently sit fifth in the French League table. But Bradley has also watched his side do well against Beziers and Pau, both big sides. Any side of a close scoreline this time would be seen as a success.

NARBONNE (probable): N Nadau; F Lartigue, D Douy, L Baluc-Rittener, J Candelon; C Rosalen, M Siro; L Martine, F Rofes, M Scelzo, M Blair, O Olibeau, P Short, D Hunter, G Longo.

CONNACHT: M McHugh; M Mostyn, D Yapp, T Allnutt, C McPhilips; E Elwood, M Walls; D McFarland, B Jackman, A Clarke, D Browne, A Farley, M Swift, M Lacey, J O'Sullivan. Replacements: J Fogarty, W O'Kelly, M McCarthy, T Carter, C O'Loughlin, D Hewitt, T Robinson.