Search Results for 'Pat Lam'

It has already been a phenomenal season, but Connacht will certainly have a bigger pep in their step this week after securing a first Pro 12 home semi-final.

It is now down to the top two teams, Connacht and Glasgow, to fight it out in this final round for a prized home semi-final in the Guinness Pro 12 League.

The first team to represent Connacht in rugby played against Leinster on December 8 1885. At that time, the game in the west was played by just a few schools. In the city, it was really only UCG and the Grammar School who played with any regularity. By the beginning of the last century the Jes, the Bish, and St Mary’s were competing. The growth of the game was interrupted by World War I and by the War of Independence, but it improved a lot after the truce.

Champions Cup rugby was the seasonal goal for Connacht. They can now tick it off. For the first time in the history of the European campaign, Connacht have qualified on their own merit for this elite competition.

Champions Cup rugby was the seasonal goal for Connacht. They can now tick it off.

Win on Saturday, and Connacht will achieve their seasonal ambition to qualify for next season's Champions Cup. That is the huge carrot for Pat Lam's men when they host Munster in this vital Guinness Pro 12 fixture in the Galway Sportsground (7.15pm). And Lam says his squad is an a "great space" to do just that.

Win on Saturday, and Connacht will achieve their seasonal ambition to qualify for next season's Champions Cup.

Connacht and Grenoble produced an epic European Challenge Cup quarter-final that beguiled and bedazzled the 14,876 fans at Stade des Alpes.

The only province without a trophy, Connacht truly believe this could be their year. As they head to France to face Grenoble in Saturday's European Challenge Cup quarter-finals (8pm), all Irish eyes are focused on Pat Lam's blossoming side.

The only province without a trophy, Connacht truly believe this could be their year. As they head to France to face Grenoble in Saturday's European Challenge Cup quarter-finals (8pm), all Irish eyes are focused on Pat Lam's blossoming side.