Tomorrow, we return to where we all want to be, competing in the top competition in Europe. We have worked incredibly hard to get here and the players are looking forward to seeing how we fare against Europe's elite.
We will be welcoming familiar opponents tomorrow, but in an unfamiliar competition for them. The journey for Connacht Rugby has been huge under Eric- Elwood and they have earned the right to be in the Heineken Cup.
As a team they fight tooth and nail for everything and play for each other. We have a huge amount of respect for them, but we are also conscious that The Stoop is a place that opposition teams must fear, in terms of the experience both on and off the pitch.
The crowd has become more and more vocal by the week and the players want to make our ground a fortress and play an exciting style of rugby with and without the ball.
On behalf of everyone, we want to welcome you all to what should be great way to kick off the Heineken Cup.
Enjoy the night and see you in the bar afterwards.
