Connacht v Stad Francais Digital Match Programme

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PRESIDENT’s
WELCOME
On behalf of everyone
at Connacht Rugby, I am
delighted to welcome you to
The Sportsground for today’s
Heineken Champions Cup fixture
between Connacht and Stade
Francais.
Champions Cup games at The Sportsground
are always really special occasions, and today
promises to be no different. It is particularly
special to once again have this fixture in front
of you, our loyal supporters, after a season of
behind-closed-doors games in Europe.
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I’m sure like me when you think about
European games on College Road, your mind
casts back to a whole host of memorable
days. That opening fixture against Toulouse
when over 9,000 of you crammed into the
stadium. That historic first win over Harlequins.
The victory over Toulouse just a few months
after winning the Guinness PRO12, and then
a few weeks later Jack Carty slots over an
incredible last minute conversion for the win
over Wasps. Who could also forget the game
against Gloucester two years ago, when the
team came back from 10 points down with 5
minutes to go to claim the win?
We all hope today’s game will add to that list,
albeit we welcome a very strong team and a
proud French club in Stade Francais. I’d like to
welcome all their players, coaches and wider
management group to the West of Ireland, and
we hope you have a safe and healthy journey
home.
It’s not lost on any of us how fortunate we are
that, amidst the ongoings COVID-19 concerns,
we are still able to fulfil these fixtures, and
even better play them in front of 100%
capacity crowds. Other sectors unfortunately
have suffered, and we all sincerely hope that
things will return back to normal for them as
soon as possible. In the meantime, I’d strongly
encourage all attending fans to do their bit
at the ground today. Most important to wear
your mask at all times, but also make use of
the sanitisation station and be mindful of those
around you. If you all play our part then days like
today can continue long into the season.
On the Club & Community scene, this Monday is
a significant day with the 2021/22 Schools Cup
and Bank of Ireland Junior Cup Draw, which
will be broadcast live on the Connacht Rugby
YouTube page from 7pm. In normal times we’d all
come together here in The Sportsground for us,
but this will be an excellent alternative that will
allow people all across the province to watch the
draws unfold. My thanks as always to the Club
& Community for the trojan work they do every
year to make these competitions a reality, and
I’d like to wish all the competing clubs, schools
and players every successf in the months ahead.
Connacht Abu!
Ann Heneghan
President, Connacht Rugby