With no weekend competitive league action, Connacht travel to London to face English premiership side Harlequins in a challenge fixture at the Twickenham Stoop tomorrow, Friday (7.45pm ).
Familiar foes in European competition, the two outfits will use the meeting to maintain form during this two-week Six Nations window before resuming their respective leagues.
Connacht, now in 11th, are bidding to hunt down a top eight URC place, while Harlequins are currently sixth in the premiership.
This will be their first meeting since their European clashes in the 2011/12 and 2012/13 Champions Cup pool stages - Quins having won three before Connacht claimed a memorable 9-8 victory, which was their first in the competition.
These fixtures are all about maintaining momentum, says head coach Pete Wilkins.
“As we've seen historically, we can be clunky after a break. So for us to keep that rhythm, of not just a game, but a matchweek leading to a game, is hugely important.”
In their efforts to close the gap on their URC opponents, Wilkins says the two upcoming URC fixtures were always going to be key in Connacht’s season.
“Massive for us either way,” he says, whether still chasing a down a lead over Cardiff and Benetton, or providing some players with "an opportunity".
“It's really important for us because we want to keep that momentum, so that was the reason for arranging these two games,” he says.
And with several key players involved in Six Nations camps with Ireland, it is the ideal time for those who have been cooling their heels on the sidelines. In addition, academy coaching team member Morgan Codyre will join Wilkins, Scott Fardy and John Muldoon in the set-up, while Colm Tucker and Mark Sexton are involved with Ireland A, and Andrew Browne is with the under 20s.
“There's a few guys itching for an opportunity,” Wilkins says.
“Some haven't had a go all this season, some have been on the fringes, and some just been unlucky to be behind a couple of good people in their position. So it will be important for us, not just to give guys a game to keep them happy, but to see if they can put their hands up and add something leading into this really important final third of the season.”
Both Matthew Devine and Hugh Gavin have enjoyed game time to date this season, and Wilkins says he expects to find a couple of “gems” on this brief tour to England.
“The Quinn's game gives us an opportunity to give them a platform, to see if they can put their hand up.”
The fixture has been added to Harlequins’ hugely popular Friday Night Lights season, allowing season ticket members to take up their usual seat at The Stoop.
Harlequins’ head coach, Danny Wilson says the Friday night fixtures are always special occasions.
“We look forward to bringing our supporters another instalment against a strong Connacht side. They’re a team with quality throughout, who’ve shown they mean business in the United Rugby Championship. We’re expecting a very competitive match-up as we build towards the back end of the season.”
