John Muldoon says it is unthinkable Connacht will not advance in this season's European Challenge Cup ahead of a crunch meeting with Brive on Saturday.

A win for Connacht would almost guarantee qualification for the quarter-finals, and the captain says a home quarter-final remains their focus. “It’s a big challenge, but we are travelling with confidence. From what we have done this year, it would be unthinkable not to qualify, but it is mathematically possible,” he says.

Connacht have failed to qualify for the Challenge Cup quarter-finals only three times in their previous 10 tournaments – one of which was in 2007 when they lost home and away fixtures to Brive. And Muldoon, the only remaining Connacht player who lost to Saturday’s opponents by 15-6 in France, is preparing for a tougher battle on their home ground, having edged the French side at the Sportsground by 21-17.

“They have a huge pack, a big maul and a huge scrum, and some big one-out runners, so it’s different to what we have been playing in the last few weeks.

Nail our job

“When you go over there, you know you have to produce more. French teams don’t like losing at home, but I think if we can nail our job, especially in our maul defence and scrum, it can make life a lot easier.”

Muldoon is mindful Brive scored a try from a rolling maul in the Sportsground, and says the pack are now on high alert. “It was the first try from a maul we conceded this year. We were disappointed, so there is an awareness for us this week.”

Muldoon, who has re-signed for his 14th season with Connacht, says it is a good time to be at the Sportsground. “I nailed my colours to the mast a long time ago when I committed to the province. It’s an easy time to be here. Over the last couple of years we have had a massive transition, and I am proud and glad to be a part of that.”