No team has played as many games in the European Challenge Cup as Connacht . . . 71 since the 1996/97 season . . . and this season's draw gives them a realistic chance of making the knockout stages.

Last year was the first time in five years that they did not feature there . . . two successive semi-finals is as far as they have gone . . . but there is real hope this year.

Jonny Wilkinson's Newcastle Falcons are the favourites to win the pool though the three best runners-up will also go into the quarter-finals. Spanish side Cetransa El Salvador will be the whipping boys, leaving it to Connacht and Brive to battle it out. Accordingly, Connacht's trip to Brive on Friday will have a huge bearing on the outcome of the pool but it is one Michael Bradley's men will make with some confidence.

Since that historic 15-9 win over Begles Bordeaux in 1997, Connacht have notched up five more in Narbonne, Beziers, Montpellier, Mont de Marsan and Grenoble.

Brive, Heineken Cup winners 10 years ago and runners-up the following year, have struggled to re-establish themselves among the French elite after being relegated shortly after. They have played twice in the French Top 14, both games at home, and have had their confidence dented by defeats to Bayonne and Biarritz.

Connacht have not won since the opening day of the Magners League but there has been an upward trend in their performances away to Cardiff and Leinster and at home to Edinburgh. Out-half Tim Donnelly, who joined from Brive, will give an insight into the opposition but coach Bradley is under no illusions.

"It is vital in a pool situation to concentrate on the next game and not get distracted about what else is happening.

That means for us it is Brive away next Friday, we will worry about El Salvador after that and then the back-to-back games against Newcastle.

"We know at this stage what to expect from a French team. They will be under pressure not to lose at home and that will give an edge.

But our lads know, too, what is required, the discipline needed to carve out a result."

He has bolstered his squad since last year. Gavin Duffy returned last spring and laid claim to a World Cup place while Johnny O'Connor, Mike McCarthy and Mel Deane are also back. Former English prop Robbie Morris will renew acquaintances with his old Newcastle Falcons mates in December. The experienced Andrew Farley, renamed skipper this year, says that confidence is high that they can make an impact.

"We have never played Brive before but we have played enough French teams to know what to expect. There is always a lot at stake in the first game. They will be under a bit of pressure as they have lost their opening couple of games in the French league but it will be up to us to concentrate on our own game and delivering a result. We have a good record in France and the boys are looking forward to the trip. It would be a great match to win."

Farley, capped by Ireland A this year, said they were more than familiar with Newcastle having been beaten by them in the Challenge Cup quarterfinals two seasons ago.

"There is an unknown element for players and supporters in that we haven't played Brive or El Salvador but that's also part of the attraction, while we will be looking for revenge when we meet Newcastle."

However, it would seem that the key to Connacht coming out of the pool would rest on getting a result at Stade Amedee Domenech next Friday night.