EUROPEAN CHALLENGE CUP: CONNACHT WILL open their European Challenge Cup campaign on Friday night, October 9th, with a fixture against Olympus Rugby Madrid, at the Sportsground (7pm). A week later Michael Bradley's charges travel to old foes Montpellier for another Friday night challenge in the heart of France.

Arguably the Irish province’s biggest test in terms of qualifying from Pool Two will come in December with back-to-back clashes against Mike Ruddock’s Worcester Warriors, Connacht travelling to Sixways stadium on the Saturday before hosting the English club six days later on December 18th at the Sportsground.

Specific dates for the final two rounds of fixtures in January have yet to be decided with Connacht due to host Montpellier before travelling to Spain for their final fixture in the pool.