RUGBY EUROPEAN CHALLENGE CUP:CONNACHT HAVE much the better record in this competition, with two semi-finals and three quarter-finals under their belt to Montpellier's one visit to the quarter-finals in 2007-08.
The Irish side also have the better record against Montpellier, and have beaten them 19-13 in France in 2005. That may be Connacht’s most significant result as beating French sides on home soil is a different proposition to taking them apart in Galway, which Connacht has done in all three previous occasions.
Michael Bradley and his side also fly in to France with last week’s enterprising 46-6 trouncing of Olympus Rugby in Madrid behind them.
But the way this is shaping up, Montpellier are the team Connacht will target as pool contenders along with themselves. They surprisingly won their first match away to the Chris Latham-led Worchester Warriors and a second win at home would leave the French side as the only unbeaten team in the group.
Connacht currently top the pool because of their bonus point against the Spanish but the probability is Montpellier too will probably get involved in a try fest against the weakest club in the group when they meet.
Bradley has made five changes to the side that beat Olympus last week. Troy Nathan, Keith Matthews, Frank Murphy, Seán Cronin and John Muldoon come back into the side, backrow Muldoon taking back his influential captain’s arm band. Ray Ofisa, Dermot Murphy and David Nolan are long-term injuries, while prop Robbie Morris misses the game through suspension.
It will be Connacht’s first visit to the stadium, which was built to accommodate Australia’s visit during the 2007 World Cup. Federico Todeschini kicked four penalties for the French last week along with a try from centre Florian Nicot.
The teams are well matched and Connacht will have to play to their peak to take away anything.
