Challenge Cup/Connacht v Harlequins Sportsground, Galway Kick-off - 7pm: Traditionally the chance for Connacht to make a success of their season, this evening's European campaign begins with a visit from English Premiership outfit NEC Harlequins.
Yet, Connacht have been unfortunate to be drawn in the toughest pool of this season's European Challenge Cup, with not only Harlequins, but former Heineken European Cup winners Bath and French rivals Montpellier.
As a result, this evening's opener could well be indicative of how Connacht's European campaign will fare, with a wounded Harlequins - who have yet to win a competitive match this season - as visitors.
Connacht have put together an encouraging sequence of displays in the Magners Celtic League in front of a growing Friday night audience and have three wins and a draw from seven matches. In addition, coach Michael Bradley has shown consistency in selection with only some minor tinkering due to injuries.
This evening Connacht start with the same XV that prevailed over the Newport Gwent Dragons last week 16-9, with Mark McHugh continuing to lead from the number 10 shirt in the absence of captain John Fogarty. Fogarty, however, returns to the bench and can expect to make an appearance.
While Connacht have traditionally prided themselves on their defensive capabilities, their attacking options have increased, particularly with Danny Riordan, Paul Warwick, and Matt Mostyn - who celebrates his 100th game for the province - in creative form.
The pack continue to graft successfully, not least last year's captain Andrew Farley, John Muldoon, and Colm Rigney, who will be tested in the physical exchanges against a Harlequins outfit that welcomes the return of their captain Paul Volley.
Bradley is counting on Connacht's recent form to overcome a struggling Harlequins, but believes their Premiership form is not indicative of their ability to success in Europe.
"It's been tough for Harlequins to come up from Division One and there appears to be two tiers in that league. The English Premiership is a tough league, as reflected by Munster who have won just over 50 per cent of their matches against English sides.
"They will view this game as an opportunity for them, but we are playing well at the moment and we are confident we will do well."
Harlequins are coached by Dean Richards, who led Leicester to four consecutive English league titles and back-to-back victories in the European Cup. He has made five changes to the team that lost 20-33 away to Bristol - including the the return of Volley to the back row after a leg injury.
Samoan hooker Tani Fuga starts his first game of the season and, in another frontrow change, Mike Ross returns from injury to replace Ricky Nebbett. Former Connacht star Gavin Duffy continues to play in the centre due to an injury to Hal Luscombe, and he will be partnered by England under-19 centre Jordan Turner-Hall.
Although Connacht are giving greater focus to the Celtic League this year, European competition still holds great enchantment for both players and supporters. The only Irish team in the Challenge Cup, they've appeared in two semi-finals and three quarter-finals since its introduction in 1996.
"The Challenge Cup has always been a great competition for Connacht, and in many ways it kept Connacht alive," says Bradley. "We are well aware it is the glamour competition and, as always, we are looking forward to it. To start with Harlequins in Galway is a great fixture."
The two sides crossed swords before - three seasons ago when Quins ultimately lifted the Cup for the second time. Connacht lost the first semi-final 31-22 away, but won 23-18 at the Galway Sportsground. Quins thus qualified for the final with a four-point aggregate and went on to win the cup by a single point for a second time.
Connacht attracted 6,000 patrons to the Sportsground for that semi-final. They will be lucky to replicate that number, but with Friday evening rugby growing in popularity, and Connacht a better side, home advantage could well swing it.
CONNACHT: D Riordan; M Mostyn, P Warwick, G Williams, D Yapp; M McHugh (capt), C Keane; R Hogan, A Flavin, B Sturgess; D Gannon, A Farley; J Muldoon, R Ofisa, C Rigney. Replacements: J Fogarty, B Wilkinson, M Swift, B O'Connor, T Tierney, K Matthews, T Robinson.
HARLEQUINS: M Brown; T Williams, G Duffy, J Turner-Hall, U Moyne; A Jarvis, A Gomarsall; C Jones, T Fuga, M Ross, O Kohn, N Spanghero, N Easter, P Volley (capt), C Hala'Ufia. Replacements: J Hayter, L Ward, J Evans,T Guest, A Vos, D Care, C McMullen.
