Connacht Step Up Preparations For Toulouse Rematch
The Connacht squad trained in Galway yesterday afternoon as the province stepped up their preparations for Saturday evening’s Heineken Cup round 4 encounter with Toulouse at the Sportsground (kick-off 6pm).
There were a few sore bodies arising from last Sunday’s 16-14 win in Toulouse but most players returned to the session on Tuesday.
A medical examination early in the week confirmed that veteran lock Michael Swift fractured his eye socket during last weekend’s game. Connacht’s most-capped player (254 caps) has unfortunately been ruled out of action for at least four weeks.
Returning to the fray this week is lock/flanker Aly Muldowney who missed out on the round 3 clash due to injury, while the Galway-born Tiernan O’Halloran has also been declared fit to return to full training this week.
Following the historic result in France, the Connacht Rugby ticket office has been inundated with requests from supporters around the country for the return fixture this Saturday.
And due to the phenomenal demand for tickets, a decision has been made to increase the capacity of the Sportsground stadium – terrances behind the two goalposts will be erected for the marquee fixture.
Tickets sales for the much-anticipated game have now passed the 7,500 mark and only tickets for behind the posts remain. Supporters are encouraged to snap up the few remaining spaces as soon as possible.
Excitement has been building all week at the province and throughout the country as Pat Lam’s men prepare to welcome back the four-time European champions for what promises to be the biggest game of the season.
Head of Marketing & Commercial Alex Saul expects the fixture on Saturday evening to be a season highlight, saying: “Sunday’s win was a huge injection in the arm in terms of ticket sales. We had already sold out the Clan Stand but the phone has been ringing non-stop since Sunday and it seems no one wants to miss this massive event.
“We want everyone here to get behind the team and are looking forward to an electrifying atmosphere, bigger than what we had two years’ ago when Toulouse were last in town.”
Remaining tickets can be purchased online from tickets.ie, from the Connacht Rugby office and from Centra & SuperValu stores province-wide. Tickets start at €;30 for adults and €;10 for all juniors.
The Connacht Eagles team made it back-to-back British & Irish Cup victories last Saturday with a 17-8 triumph over Bedford Blues at the Sportsground.
There are no major injury concerns for Nigel Carolan’s charges ahead of their return round 4 fixture at Goldington Road this Saturday afternoon (kick-off 2pm).