Excitement is building at Dexcom Stadium for Connacht’s return to Europe’s premier competition.
After a four-year hiatus in the Challenge Cup, Stuart Lancaster’s Connacht will open their Investec Champions Cup campaign against English premiership side Saracens on Saturday at 5.30pm.
Having finished eighth in last season’s URC, Connacht claimed the final spot in the premier European competition, and Lancaster says their reward is an “amazing pool” that includes Saturday’s English visitors, and French sides Toulouse and La Rochelle.
Saracens’ visit to the west of Ireland, and their previous meetings, have gone to the English outfit. The last occasion was in 2023 at Stonex Stadium, the English side prevailing 55-36.
Connacht came close in 2013, pushing Saracens all the way. On that occasion, Connacht as 8/1 outsiders, were inspired by man-of-the-match scrumhalf Kieran Marmion. Although they stayed in the hunt, Saracens eventually prevailed by 23-17 as their defence kept Connacht at bay.
Connacht then fell to a whopping 64-6 defeat in England - Dan Parks' two penalties the only response from the visitors.
Thus, history is definitely on the side of English clubs - Connacht’s record in the Champions Cup is three wins and five losses at home; zero wins and seven losses away from home.
'A serious challenge'
Historical stats aside, excitement is building within the squad, Lancaster says.
“It’s a serious challenge. Obviously we watched the game from the weekend. They had a very good win against Bristol, so yeah, it's going to be a hell of a game,” he says.
“To kick off the Champions Cup with a home game, and if you can get a win, it sets you up well, and then obviously you lead into Exeter away, and then there is the excitement of the two French teams in January,” he says.
But, he says, it is important Connacht put their “best foot forward in Europe”, particularly at home.
“If you get a home win first up, you're up and running. And often teams can qualify for the last 16.”
Lancaster has yet to finalise his starting XV. Shane Bolton has passed HIA protocols, experienced hooker Dave Heffernan is back training, talented youngster Harry West and David O'Connor also may be available. But Lancaster has yet to be decide if internationals Finlay Bealham and Mack Hansen will be in action, having played in the first three fixtures this season.
If unavailable, Lancaster can look to the likes of Finn Treacy, Shane Jennings and “stand-out” U20s player Daniel Ryan, while new signing Will Connors is also a possible starter, he says.
“We signed him [Connors] for a reason because he's an international quality player. So getting him back available to train and be available to play is huge.”
Last season’s results provide real hope that Connacht can make their presence felt on the big stage, Lancaster believes.
“You just want to be in the fight, don't you? I thought last year, if you saw our Montpellier games and then Montpellier losing in the Top 14 final, how well we competed, it would not be beyond the realms of possibility that we can qualify. So we fight for that.”
Connacht, he insists, are not there just to make up the numbers.
“I’ve seen other teams pay lip service to it. I'm too respectful of the competition to ever do that. I've had amazing times in the Champions Cup. You know, I’ve been involved in huge play-off games, in finals, in semi-finals, in amazing pool games.
“I love the competition personally, and I think for a club like Connacht, it worries me when talk about reducing it to 16 teams in the next couple of years.
“And where does that leave a club like Connacht to have ambition? Why would you rule out a club like Connacht, to have their day in the sun, to play against the teams that won the Champions Cup in the past, and why can't a club like Connacht ever potentially win it? I'm not saying it's doable every year, but there's no reason why a club like Connacht couldn't come through.”
Referee on Saturday evening is Frenchman Pierre Brousset.
