Connacht Away In First Leg

Connacht will play the first leg of their Parker Pen Challenge Cup semi-final against Harlequins at The Stoop on Easter weekend with the return a fortnight later atThe Sportsground in Galway.

It’s an arrangement that probably suits the Michael Bradley coached side ideally as they have proved so far in this competition that they are more than capable of winning on the road following three successive wins in France.

The Stoop holds just 8.500 fans and just as the Irish in England have rallied to the Munster cause, Connacht can expect likewise and could enjoy their biggest support for the away tie.

Meanwhile, Munster now know that if they can overcome Stade Francais in the Heineken Cup quarter final in Thomond Park on Saturday April 10th, they will have home (country) advantage against the winner of the London Wasps v Gloucester game.

The draw was made yesterday (Tuesday) in Iveagh House with Minister for Sport, Mr John O’Donoghue drawing out ball number 3 (Munster or Stade Francais) at first time of asking.

The other semi-final will see the winner of the Toulouse v Edinburgh game take on the either Llanelli or Biarritz.

Ulster centre Ryan Constable has announced his retirement from rugby. The 32 year old former Australian international who arrived in the province at the start of season 2000/01 has been troubled by a shoulder injury and after medical advice has decided to call it a day.