Connacht count on their own x-factor

Connacht Rugby and Toulon clash in the first semi-final at the Galway Sportsground on Friday night with 2003 winners London Wasps taking on Cardiff Blues at Adams Park on Saturday evening.

And in addition to booking their place at the high table of European club rugby next season, the winner will also claim an additional Heineken Cup place for their nation.

The introduction of three of the Heineken Cup Pool runners-up has already been acclaimed as a huge success and major boost for the profile of the tournament although original 2009/10 Amlin Challenge Cup clubs Wasps and Toulon both triumphed over Heineken Cup opposition in the quarter-finals.

Cardiff Blues were the exception and they, along with Wasps, find themselves as the last teams from Wales and England respectively standing in Europe.

By contrast, Connacht Rugby's win over Bourgoin in the quarter-finals mean Ireland have three teams still in the mix and coach Michael Bradley hopes the Galway factor will work for them against the star-studded Toulon team.

"Toulon embarked on a strategy which has got them to the top of the Top 14 and they have quality throughout their squad," said Bradley.

"They are a colourful side with big names and big stars with the likes of Jonny Wilkinson and Felipe Contepomi to pick and choose from.

"But they have to come to Galway and we have the X-factor in terms of our ground. We have a home draw and, while they will bring the stars, we'll bring our support and we'll see who comes out on top.

"We went through the Pool stages of the Amlin Challenge Cup unbeaten and we were able to carry that form through into the Bourgoin game. That sort of confidence has spilled over into our Magners League performances and we're having a good end to the season.

"The crowd were very important to us on the day against Bourgoin and obviously in big cup matches home advantage can count. The last time we were in an Amlin Challenge Cup semi-final we lost to Harlequins over two legs and they went on to win the tournament, so the fans are looking forward to the game against Toulon and it's going to be a massive game for us."

Toulon coach Philippe Saint Andre added: "With the addition of Heineken Cup clubs in the quarter-finals, the Amlin Challenge is now a more difficult tournament to win. But as ever, if you want to win something you must be ready to beat some of the best teams.

"I think if the semi-final was at home, we'd be favourites, but we're going to Galway on a Friday night, and it will certainly be difficult. It's a tough place to go, so we need to play our best, be disciplined and well organised. We realise Connacht will play with a lot of passion, they'll be desperate to win and they have several young players with a lot of talent."