WATCH: Connacht produce evocative preview for crucial Leinster clash

A Connacht win, on Saturday, would virtually guarantee a top four finish.

The westerners are ready and willing. Leinster's trip to Galway will prove if they are well and truly able. Connacht sit atop the Guinness PRO12 table with five games of the regular season to go. Three of those are at The Sportsground but they are against Leinster, Munster and Glasgow Warriors. We will know more about Connacht's mettle in the coming weeks but few would begrudge them a spot in the top four and re-entry to the Champions Cup for next season. While that may have been the stated goal at the beginning of the season, Connacht are hungry for more. The province has produced a fantastic preview for Saturday's game [5:15pm kick-off] that features contributions from coach Pat Lam and captain John Muldoon. Lam says:

"We have an understanding on how we can beat. We have an understanding on what our role is. Then [it's important] we get out there and enjoy what we do, based on all the work we've been doing."

Come Saturday night, the wages will have been earned for another week. However, as both sets of players know well, it will be about who can look at themselves in the changing room mirrors as the steam builds and the muscles burn and hold that stare the longest.