‘The way Connacht are playing, they could be contenders for the title again’ – Barry Murphy

They could be lighting the bonfires all over again.

It has only been three years since Connacht lifted the Guinness PRO12 trophy at Murrayfield, but Barry Murphy's proclamation still caused the ears to perk up. The former Munster and Ireland centre has been thoroughly impressed with the Westerner's form since head coach Andy Friend (after a later than ideal arrival) truly started making his mark on the team in late September. Connacht are currently third in Conference A of the Guinness PRO14 and they have three games left to secure a place in the knock-out stages and, while they are it, Champions Cup rugby for next season. Next up is an away date with Sale Sharks in the Challenge Cup, on Friday. Connacht could also gain entry to the Champions Cup by winning that competition. Murphy backs them to give the Premiership side a right go and, on Baz & Andrew's House of Rugby [from 6:00 below], talked them up as genuine PRO14 contenders. Connacht bounced back from an away loss to Conference A leaders Glasgow Warriors, in mid March, by securing a bonus point win over Treviso, with Caolin Blade (above, middle), Matt Healy, Jarrad Butler and sub Jack Carty all excelling. Looking at their PRO14 regular season run-in, Murphy commented:

"What have they, Cardiff and Zebre left, and I reckon they’ll beat them. They should beat Zebre away; they’ve Cardiff at home. With that quarter final place up for grabs, you know, the way that they’re playing, they are getting better and better every week. "Then, I think they could be contenders for the title again, like, the way they are playing. And, as I said, they’ve got the likes of Butler, Ultan Dillane, Shane Delahunt, Colby Fainga’a. Real aggressive, abrasive players and the skill of players like Blade. He was unbelievable at the weekend, Healy… Farrell didn’t even do much and he’s ripping it up every week, and he didn’t even have to, you know."

Connacht would back themselves to go to Italy and get the win over Zebre while also getting the better of an ever-improving Cardiff at The Sportsground. Their final game of the regular season is a trip to Thomond Park to take on Munster. Leinster, Glasgow and Munster are the three best records and are the three teams that most will back. Connacht are starting to click and have players back from Ireland camp in good form, and confidence. They could be the dark horses again. WATCH HOUSE OF RUGBY'S CHAMPIONS CUP PREVIEW HERE: https://youtu.be/zuGSAN1h_8U