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Toulouse came and predictably conquered, but they did not grab all the spoils.

European rugby giants Toulouse arrive in Galway today in preparation for Connacht’s biggest competitive fixture at the Galway Sportsground - their pool six Heineken Cup second round clash on Saturday (6pm).

European rugby giants Toulouse arrive in Galway tomorrow in preparation for Connacht’s biggest competitive fixture at the Galway Sportsground - their pool six Heineken Cup second round clash on Saturday (6pm).

Connacht’s only World Cup player, Fetu’u Vainikolo, is in line to make his debut for the province in Saturday evening’s RaboDirect Pro 12 fixture against Cardiff at the Galway Sportsground (6pm).

Connacht coach Eric Elwood continues to sweat on the availability of some key players for the first interprovincial of this season’s RaboDirect Pro 12. Elwood is delaying naming his starting XV for Saturday’s clash with Leinster at the RDS (5pm) to allow players as much time as possible to recover. Key players include captain Gavin Duffy (calf), winger Tiernan O’Halloran (hamstring), and Eoin Griffin (hamstring). Also carrying injuries, but expected to recover are Frank Murphy (groin), Henry Fa’afili (hip), TJ Anderson (ribs) and Brian Tuohy. James Loxton, who came on as a replacement in his first Pro 12 game last weekend, is ruled out with a medial strain, joining Keith Matthews, Miah Nikora, and Andrew Browne and George Naoupu

Connacht coach Eric Elwood continues to sweat on the availability of some key players for the first interprovincial of this season’s RaboDirect Pro 12.

Connacht coach Eric Elwood and his management team are challenging Connacht to raise the bar again when they host the Scarlets in their first home match of the Rabo Direct Pro 12 on Saturday (3.15pm). With 3,000 season tickets already sold, and buoyed by Connacht’s hard-fought win over Treviso in last weekend's opener, Elwood says it is important his team builds on that momentum, particularly for this first home fixture. “We are very much driven this year to push on from last year, so it is one game down and 20 game to go. Treviso is behind us and now it is all systems go for Scarlets. This is our first home match, there is pressure on the boys - on all of us - but that’s what we thrive on and all that mattes is four points.” Elwood says his team is not getting carried away by last weekend's victory, but believes the supporters appreciate the value of a win in Treviso. "People realise how hard it is to get a win in Treviso and, given the conditions with temperatures in the mid thirties, we deserved the victory. People will now come on Saturday expecting another big performance and even another win, and it's up to us to deliver it." Elwood is unlikely to make any changes to his starting XV, but will welcome the return of prop Brett Wilkinson on the replacement benches. Wilkinson’s return from injury will be a big boost for the front row which will once again will be tested against a Scarlets outfit that destroyed Aironi last week.

Ireland take on Australia in the Rugby World Cup on Saturday September 17 and you can see the match, raise funds for charity, and meet the Connacht squad all at the same time.

Connacht coach Eric Elwood and his management team are challenging Connacht to raise the bar again when they host the Scarlets in their first home match of the RaboDirect Pro 12 on Saturday (3.15pm).

Connacht’s long-awaited qualification for Heineken Cup rugby is being hailed as an exciting opportunity that the province must grab - both on and off the pitch.