The victory, was topped off in the perfect way as Ugo Monye, on his 200^th appearance for the club, scored to secure Harlequins maximum points from the fixture and complete their best win streak in the European competition.

With the rest of the weekend's fixture to play, Harlequins could travel to Biarritz next week in the knowledge that they will return to the Stoop with a home quarter final.

It was a very patient and composed performance from the Londoners who had to wear down a very strong opposition. The forwards wore down the Connacht side in the first half, and the backs then finished the job in the second.

Despite the freezing conditions, the heat on the field reached boiling point on numerous occasions in a match which saw four yellow cards; three of which were issued to Connacht.

The game started slowly with both sides measuring each other out and getting used to the bitter conditions on the field. Within the first 12 minutes, Nick Evans and Matthew Jarvis had exchanged kicks, with Evans leading the battle as the scores read 6-3.

Connacht regularly looked threatening in the first half but a number of handling errors for the Galway men broke down their momentum.

After missing a shot on goal, Evans chose to kick a penalty to touch on the half hour mark. Following a clever lineout move, the forwards set up a rolling maul. The play moved sideways and despite looking to have crossed the line, Harlequins were awarded a five metre scrum.

This set piece had been very strong in the early stages of the game and after winning two penalties in succession, referee Neil Paterson marched under the posts to award Harlequins a penalty try.

With the easy conversion, Evans extended the lead to 13-3. The fly-half was able to add another penalty before half time which gave Harlequins a 16-3 half time lead.

The second half started in the perfect fashion as Tom Williams raced down the right touchline to score. It was a try made by man of the match Mike Brown who skipped past Nathan White and Michael Swift in midfield and drew the last line of defence of Robbie Henshaw and Teirnan O'Halloran to give Williams acres of space to score.

The resulting moments were key for the match as in quick succession, Johnny O'Connor and Fetu'u Vainikolo were sin-binned within three minutes of each other.

Williams was blocked in defence by O'Connor, an act which earnt the flanker 10 minutes on the side line. Following this, a clever chip kick destined for Monye was spoiled when Vainikolo pushed the Harlequins winger when gathering possession. With Connacht down to 13 men, Harlequins scored from the resulting scrum immediately.

The forwards again dominated and the ball was shipped wide. With the mis-match, Williams scored in the same place as his first , but Evans was unable to add the extras this time.

From here the flood gates opened, but not before two more yellow cards were shown, one for Joe Marler and Ethienne Reynecke.

Connacht were able to claw one try back when Johnny O'Connor burst from a rolling maul just after the hour mark. Despite being down to 12 men, Connacht had the majority of the possession during the sin bin period. O'Connor's try was a just reward for their efforts during this period. The conversion was missed and this rounded of Connacht's points at eight.

It took three minutes for Harlequins to respond and it was on his 200^th appearance that Monye scored a sensational try. Monye broke through the defensive line and marched his way around three defenders; despite having Williams outside him the winger held on and crossed the whitewash.

Harlequins continued to pile the pressure on in the final six minutes. The first score lead from an intercept by Tom Williams. When the winger grubber kicked through, Connacht cleared the line.

Taking a quick throw, Harlequins stormed into the 22. Monye made a surge to the line, but when possession was recycled a clever kick from Evans allowed George Lowe to touch down over the line. Ben Botica added the extras but Harlequins were not finished.

With the clock approaching the 80 minute mark, Botica carved through the line and into the 22. A second surge from Monye brought Harlequins inches to the line and as they continued to batter the line in dead time, Botica crossed over.

The decision went to the television match official and was eventually confirmed as a try rounding off the 47-8 victory. Harlequins travel to Biarritz on Friday in the knowledge of a place in Europe's final eight.