Match Preview: Connacht Rugby warning for old boys
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Bristol Bears’ Connacht Rugby old boys have been warned that while there will be a warm welcome awaiting them off the pitch in Round 4 of the Investec Champions Cup at The Sportsground on Friday night, there will be no quarter given on it in the crucial Pool 1 tie.
Although the Irish province are bottom of the pool, they are only four points behind the visitors, who currently occupy the last qualifying place in fourth.
It all makes for a tasty occasion, especially as Bristol Bears director of rugby Pat Lam will be returning to a scene of his former glories, along with ex-Sportsground favourites Kieran Marmion, AJ MacGinty and Jake Heenan.
Furthermore, Connacht Rugby forwards coach John Muldoon will come up against the club where he began his coaching career – as will lock Joe Joyce, who spent nine years at Ashton Gate.
Connacht Rugby head coach Pete Wilkins told the Irish Sun: “We are looking forward to seeing Pat. He’s a good man and he’s associated with success here.
“But there is so much at stake in the game in terms of competitiveness. We will shake hands before and hopefully have a beer afterwards, but we will be focusing on trying to get a win.”
The United Rugby Championship club welcome back Ireland stars Bundee Aki and Finlay Bealham as they bid to end an eight-match losing run in the tournament.
As for Bristol Bears, they will be looking to recover from a 31-17 home drubbing by Vodacom Bulls in Round 3 at Ashton Gate.
The match begins at 20:00 and can be seen on TNT Sports, beIN SPORTS, SuperSport and FloRugby.
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will host the 2024 EPCR Challenge Cup final on Friday 24 May (20.00 local time) and the Investec Champions Cup final on Saturday 25 May (14.45 local time). Tickets: https://www.epcrugby.com/european-professional-club-rugby/finals
