Search Results for 'Michael Bradley'

Connacht have a great opportunity to cement a qualifying place in this year’s Amlin Challenge Cup when they host Worcester in the second of their back-to-back fixtures tomorrow (7pm) in the Galway Sportsground.

For the second time since the New Year, the weather is playing havoc with Connacht’s Magners League campaign.

For the second time since the New Year, the weather is playing havoc with Connacht’s Magners League campaign. Having been forced to postpone their game against Leinster just two hours before kick-off on January 2, Connacht were on Wednesday hit with another postponement as the freezing conditions around the country remain relentless. The Newport Gwent Dragons were due to leave Wales on Thursday for tonights Sportsground game at 6.30pm. However before their departure a decision to postpone was taken based on the pitch’s suitability and on the conditions in which they would have to travel, according to Connacht’s chief executive officer Gerry Kelly.

Connacht’s season could hinge on tonight’s big clash with French side Montpellier at the Galway Sportsground (7pm). A victory for either side would ensure a top pool position and a Quarter-Final in this year’s revamped Amlin Challenge Cup competition; a defeat for Connacht would consign them to their constant struggle at the bottom of the Magners League. To top the pool - the first time since 1998 - and bag a Quarter-Final spot would provide Connacht with a home fixture against one of the best Heineken Cup sides in Europe. It is a massive incentive and would also give them some much-needed momentum to take them through the next couple of months.

Connacht travel to Madrid this weekend looking to put the icing on the cake in their final Amlin Challenge Cup pool fixture. Unbeaten and having already qualified, Connacht are now looking at a bonus-winning result to ensure a home quarter-final. And depending on Wasps’ result in France last night, they could even be looking at gaining the top seed for the knock-out stages. Olympus Rugby XV Madrid should not present a banana skin to this current crop of Connacht players, who last week showed considerable focus and nouse in disposing of Montpellier’s efforts to grab the top qualifying spot in pool 2. And coach Michael Bradley is taking nothing for granted, “travelling strong” for this final group fixture.