CONNACHT WILL FACE Gloucester in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals for the second time in four seasons, but the province will be away from home in the semi-finals should they progress that far.
Kieran Keane’s side sealed home advantage in the last eight with a thumping eight-try victory over Oyonnax at the Sportsground on Saturday and progressed through to the knockout stages as third seeds.
The reward for an encouraging pool campaign is a quarter-final date with last season’s runners-up, Gloucester, in Galway and revenge will be on the cards after the Premiership side dumped Connacht out at the same stage with a 14-7 win in April 2015.
If the western province can get past that quarter-final hurdle for the first time since 2010, they will face the winners of the last eight tie between Newcastle Falcons and Brive — but will be away from home.
Speaking after yesterday’s final pool victory and before the quarter-final line-up was confirmed, Keane said: ”I think we’ll be tough to beat here [at home]. We’re looking forward to it. Could be Gloucester, could be Cardiff, I’m not sure. We’re not really worried about either [team].”
Defending champions Stade Francais, meanwhile, will meet Pau in an all-French quarter-final with the other tie seeing Edinburgh host Cardiff Blues.
The quarter-finals will be played on 29/30/31 March/1 April with the EPCR to confirm exact dates, venues and kick-off times next week, while the semi-finals will be staged on 20/21/22 April.
The 2018 Challenge Cup final will be played on Friday 11 May at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao.
Challenge Cup quarter-finals:
- QF 1: Pau v Stade Francais Paris
- QF 2: Edinburgh Rugby v Cardiff Blues
- QF 3: Connacht Rugby v Gloucester Rugby
- QF 4: Newcastle Falcons v Brive
Challenge Cup semi-finals:
- Semi-final 1: winner of QF 1: Pau v Stade Francais Paris will play the winner of QF 2: Edinburgh Rugby v Cardiff Blues
- Semi-final 2: winner of QF 3: Connacht Rugby v Gloucester Rugby will play the winner of QF 4: Newcastle Falcons v Brive
Can’t help but wonder what if Ferris was still playing that would be a frightening back row.
True. Ferris would be an upgrade on Stander
Two bulldozers! Only one more sleep lads
Can’t wait to see them 3 get stuck in and cause complete mayhem
CJ and SOB are gona tear the frogs a new arsehole
When u think o mahony and Henderson has to come back into this squad,and Wat they both bring to De table,and with the quality ireland have right across all back positions now,and De quality coming through,irish rugby is definitely, at international level,in a great place..
Shame that knob jockey pape won’t be playing. We won’t get to see Seanie give him a cuddle!
Thought ruddock was on bench not TOD?
There was some confusion yesterday but it is the TOD.
It shows the quality we have in the back row when Ruddock can’t get in the 23.
Or when POM isn’t missed. (Tactically, personally we still miss him)
Disagree with that, I am biased against Munster and despite that I think he is arguably Ireland’s best forward – he is always immense when he plays for Ireland – I don’t think Stander, Henry or O’Donnell can match him
I’m a huge POM fan and really think he adds something extra. But if we lose we won’t be saying “of only Peter had been playing”. His replacement doesn’t fall THAT far short.
Just consider for a moment Henderson playing at 6 along with Stander at 8 and O’Brien at 7.
That would be the dream combination
Just need to find pace on the Inge and power in the second row and then we have a team to be feared
I’d have Henderson at second row. Completely fills the position but the advantage of another back row in the loose.
You’d sort of be missing Heaslip at 8 there, lad
Can’t wait for an ireland win..