The bar must be raised even higher

Maybe in five years this will be remembered as a time of splendour for Connacht rugby. Or perhaps as just the beginning.

The beauty about this Connacht team is that they have played the game over the past two seasons as if in a kind of fury against the doubt that has hung over the future of the game in the province.

The visit of Sale, a team featuring several of the more glamorous names in rugby union, is a reflection of the formidable and improbable quality that has underlined the performance of Michael Bradley's men in recent years. It means another sell-out crowd of 7,500 at the windy heights of the Sportsground, music to IRFU ears and a perfect theatre in which Eric Elwood may take a last, fond bow in front of the Galway faithful.

That this is Elwood's last big game in the Sportsground, along with the likely appointment of Bradley as coach to Munster next season, is a reminder that in Connacht nothing is permanent.

At this stage last year, the wealth and depth of Harlequins did not intimidate Connacht, but that added touch of flair the English team possessed saw them squeeze through and eventually win the trophy.

For Connacht to win the Challenge Cup was always going to mean defeating technically superior and talent-filled opposition; they have reached that point again with Sale.

Contrary to midweek reports, the English club arrive with money men Jason Robinson and Charlie Hodgson, England captain and outhalf, fit to play. But they have lost four of their last five away games while Connacht have travelled into the hostile terrain of Narbonne, Montpellier and Grenoble with terrific results.

The notable thing about Connacht this week is the strength of their bench, with Ireland A hooker Bernard Jackman held in reserve (John Fogarty's form has earned him the call) and the prolific and versatile back-line player Paul Warwick also unable to force a place on the team.

Sale boast names resonant from Six Nations championships, with the veteran Scottish scrumhalf Bryan Redpath and the highly touted French number eight Sebastien Chabal just two of 15 to have seen international duty. But Connacht have a proven talent for forcing the high and mighty to shrink before them. For this to happen today, they will have to execute perfectly.

The nagging injury to James Downey, who had been the Tom Shanklin of Connacht's campaign, is a shame, but the home team can cope with his loss. The returning John O'Sullivan must touch upon the form of a season ago and Elwood will have to get every bounce going from his favourite patch of earth.

The Connacht pack is a workhorse and never shy about initiating the meatier exchanges, and Andrew Farley, Peter Bracken and company will be hoping to offer a flavoursome welcome to the visitors.

Connacht have pace in Conor McPhillips and Dave Slemen, and Warwick's inventiveness will likely be put to use before the day is out. Connacht require some sort of victory to take into the second leg of this semi-final and have rarely failed to deliver in the Sportsground.

REPLACEMENTS - Connacht: B Jackman, D McFarland, S Knoop, M Swift, B O'Connor, M Walls, P Warwick. Sale Sharks: M Hercus, S Martens, J Baxendell, P Anglesea, J Carter, B Stewart, F Lobbe.

Referee: Christophe Berdos (Fra)