Connacht chase super seven

With only the five Pool winners qualifying for the knock-out stages, where they will be joined by three Heineken Cup Pool runners-up, Connacht coach Michael Bradley accepts this will be the moment of truth for the Irish province.

Connacht have played a record 88 tournament matches - and are the only team to have been present in all 14 seasons of the competition - but it is game No 89 that really counts.

"It is going to be one of those days on which our season will be judged - we are very conscious of that fact," said coach Michael Bradley.

"This match against Montpellier is a massive one and they are travelling over here for what looks like being the critical match in the group.

"There are only two points between us and, if they get a win against us, they may well go on and win the group.

"If we get a win on Friday night then we will go on and win the group."

Connacht, London Wasps and Toulon are the three unbeaten teams so far and, on top of the basic requirement of topping their Pools to qualify for the quarter-finals, there is also the massive incentive of being the best of the five qualifiers and so avoiding any of the three Heineken Cup teams.

Bonus points could well be crucial with Toulon holding the advantage on 18 points and Connacht and London Wasps one point adrift.

And Connacht and Montpellier are regular tournament opponents, Connacht 5-2 ahead from their seven meetings.

"We do know each other well as we have played them several times in recent seasons and of course we beat them 22-19 over there in Round 2 of this season's tournament," said Bradley.

"However, we have had a difficult few weeks with the frost and severe weather so hopefully we can go out on Friday night and qualify for the quarter-finals of the Amlin Challenge Cup with a match to spare."