Connacht's last throw of the dice
Only a bonus point win will do
Pool Five has been the most exciting of the Challenge Cup pools, with Connacht and Worcester's battle for its supremacy going right down to the wire.
Worcester's ability to take a bonus point in Ireland – they were within an ace of nicking all four points for the win – has them top of the Pool.
Both teams should win this weekend, but if Connacht can get the bonus point in Catania – quite feasible – and Worcester fail to secure a bonus point in Montpellier – just as feasible – the Irish will have stolen the top spot in the Pool by dint of a superior try count.
Top place in this Pool is almost certainly a home quarter-final, and so it is all up for grabs as the Pool leaders travel to Italy and France on Friday.
“We know what we have to do – first and foremost we have to win the match and get the four points,” said coach Michael Bradley.
“And it would take an absolutely amazing set of events for us to get a home quarter-final and, as long as we get the result against Catania and if all things go to form, then 22 points should be enough for one of the three best runners-up places and an away quarter-final.
“If we get a try bonus point well and good but the win is the most important thing.
“But, make no mistake, we are not underestimating Catania in any way whatsoever. They have been playing well – they won at Montpellier and only lost by five points at home to Worcester.
“And when we played them at home in Round 1 they scored two good tries against us. I would go so far as to say one of them was probably one of the best scored at the ground all season, it was wonderfully constructed.
“They have got some nice footballers and work hard for each other so breaking down that team spirit is something we will have to work on.
“It would be quite an achievement if we do qualify for the knock-out stages for a fourth time but we really want to compete in a European Challenge Cup final – although we always seem to come up against the eventual winner before that stage!”
