Connacht can keep up good record

European Challenge Cup Pool Five/Montpellier v Connacht: There is a curious symmetry between Connacht and French opposition in the European Challenge Cup. The Irish province tends to revisit the same opposition time and again and tonight's tete-a-tete with Montpellier continues that saga. The two teams met in last season's competition with Connacht emphatic winners at home before going down in the second leg at tonight's venue 19-14.

Trying to establish a barometer of form, the French side were beaten comprehensively enough on the scoreboard when travelling to the Worcester Warriors (36-18) last week. It was a misleading appraisal of the match according to Montpellier's Director of Rugby Didier Nouralt: "The scoreboard did not reflect the match.

"We wasted some good scoring opportunities but overall we're happy with the performance, especially with a number of players coming back from injury."

The club won the European Shield in the 2003/04 season, a competition geared towards the early losers in the Challenge Cup.

Montpellier boast eight internationals on their books including highly-rated Argentina flanker Martin Durand and a couple of Georgian internationals in prop Mamuka Magrakvelidze - he was a try scorer last week - and flanker Mamuka Gorgodze, who played his first game back following injury.

They also have former French outhalf David Aucagne, who came on as a replacement as did Ivory Coast prop Oliver Diomande, while centre Alessandro Stoica has played for Italy. The club is currently languishing 12th in the French Championship but that won't matter too much tonight.

They boast a big pack and it's this element of the contest that will be pivotal for Connacht. John Fogarty replaces Joe Merrigan at hooker, the latter dropping to the bench at the expense of Chris Venter.

Michael Bradley's side will be without their top try scorer in Keith Matthews (groin), who grabbed a hat-trick at the Sportsground last week.

His replacement is another former under-21 international John Hearty.

Connacht have a wonderful record against French teams and that is based on their ability to perform on French soil. That's what's required once again tonight.

They have to be able to absorb the punishment up front and then have the wherewithal to make the most of their young, gifted and speedy backs.

Despite the fact that they lost here last year, it was as much down to the fact that they had already qualified for the next stage of the tournament by virtue of a thumping 56-3 victory at the Sportsground in the first leg.

The format for the tournament has changed to pools this year. A defeat wouldn't be catastrophic but Connacht can do better than that.

Supporters can keep track of the action on the Connacht rugby website (www.connachtrugby.ie) which will be carrying live updates throughout tonight's game.

MONTPELLIER: F Benazech; S Logerot, M Taele, A Stoica, S Kuzbik; R Lespinas, J Tomas; J Brugnaut, J Caudullo, C Baïocco; S Nouchi, M Gorgodze; M Durand, V Bost, J Russell. Replacements: O Diomande, S Petit, M Bert, S Galtier, S Buada, D Aucagne, A Koko.

CONNACHT: M Mostyn; T Robinson, J Hearty, D Yapp, C McPhillips; P Warwick, C Keane; R Hogan, J Fogarty, S Knoop; C Short, A Farley (capt); J Muldoon, M Lacey, C Rigney. Replacements: J Merrigan, D McFarland, A Gallagher, D Gannon, M Swift, C O'Loughlin, D Riordan.

Referee: David Changleng (Scotland).

Previous Meetings: EC 2003-2004 (Round 2) - Connacht 56 Montpellier 3; Montpellier 19 Connacht 14.

EC (2005-2006): Montpellier lost 36-18 to Worcester Warriors (a); Connacht bt Amatori Catania (h) 62-17.

Leading try scorers: Montpellier - M Magrakvelidze, S Kubzik try each.

Connacht - Keith Matthews 3.

Leading points scorers: Montpellier - M Magrakvelidze, S Kubzik, D Bortulossi 5 each. Connacht - K Matthews 15.

Verdict: Connacht to win.