The penultimate URC round before knock-out rugby already as a cup final feel about it.
Connacht host Cardiff at the Galway Sportsground on Saturday (7.35pm ) and with both sides still boasting the chance to qualify for Champions Cup rugby next season, a win is the target.
Given the permutations across the 16 team competition this weekend, only the top four look safe, with fourth-placed Glasgow expected to prevail over a struggling Scarlets to put them out of touch.
Behind them are a host of teams all with the chance over the next two weekends - thus Andy Friend's side has no wriggle room.
"What we do know is their (Cardiff ) season is in the balance too. They are out of the European Challenge Cup, so they have everything to play for in the URC. This is an opportunity for them to get a much-needed win and hopefully be the No 1 Welsh team, and we have a job to do ourselves - and that is why it is an exciting opportunity this weekend."
It is also one of pressure, but Friend is blessed to have some key players back on duty with Jack Carty, Finlay Bealham and Denis Buckley all available after hamstring, knee and ankle injuries respectively. Add in possible returns of Jarrad Butler (Achilles ) and Josh Murphy (head ), and it would strengthen Connacht's options more.
They will need that and more - particularly after a poor performance last weekend against Benetton when they relinquished a 10- lead to lose by 41-19.
Friend, not laying the blame on individuals, says the "way the whole team played, it was pretty hard to get a foothold".
"When you play knockout rugby you can't be five or 10 per cent off, so there has been a lift in performance of everybody this week," he says, with Tuesday's training the best he had seen, making him confident the 23 will be "ready to go on Saturday".
Connacht have always found Cardiff a difficult side to put away and Saturday will be no different.
"We know they are a very good jackal side, so we are going to have to be on point with that, but also the way we defend, our ability to get back on our feet and get in correct positions, and to get off the line hard. They have attacking threats - can move the ball wide and come through you - so we have to be physically up for the game and be on our feet to effect tackles. We didn't see it against Benetton, so we need to see it on Saturday."
Cardiff, boasting top jacklers including captain Josh Turnball and Thomas Young, need to be stopped by the speed of the supporting players to the breakdown, while Friend is comfortable with Connacht's line-out with players such as the Murray brothers Niall and Darragh Murray and Cian Prendergast performing well all season.
Friend is also hoping to get a full house for this last home game of the season, and also his last home game of his seven-year coaching stint in Galway.
"The Connacht crowd also brings energy, and it makes it a difficult place to travel to. It's great to play in front of passionate supporters," he says, in the hopes of adding another special occasion to his memory book.
Certainly Connacht will be looking to improve on their poor performance against Benetton as their Challenge Cup campaign melted in the Italian heat.
Few would have expected a 41-19 defeat, but after Connacht's two early tries, the Italians were superior in every facet of the game.
Tiernan O'Halloran
Connacht’s longest serving player Tiernan O’Halloran has extended his contract for the 2023-24 season.
The full-back made his debut as an 18-years-old in October 2009, and next season will be his fifteenth in the professional setup.
The Clifden native has made 218 provincial appearances, as well as six appearances for the Irish national team, and was a try scorer in the 2016 Pro 12 final. Head coach Pete Wilkins says O'Halloran has seen it all during his time in Connacht.
It’s great that we can count on that experience again next season. Some of his performances this year have been among his very best, and I’m sure he’ll continue to play a valuable role as we continue to grow and build as a squad.”
Sevens player joins Connacht
Connacht Rugby has boosted its squad ahead of next season with an Ireland Sevens player.
The Australian-born and Irish-qualified Liam McNamara will make the switch from the Ireland Sevens programme to Connacht.
The 26-years-old was previously a member of the Australian Sevens squad for three years when he was coached by current Connacht director of rugby, Andy Friend. Also capped for Australia U20s in the XVs game, he was a member of the Queensland Reds squad for the 2018/19 Super Rugby campaign.
Head Coach Pete Wilkins says Connacht has been tracking his development in recent seasons. "He has made a great impression both in the XVs and Sevens game - a player who has experience across almost every position in the backline, from the back three to midfield and fly-half."
Wilkins says in building the squad's depth for next season, McNamara is the "perfect addition to our squad and we're excited to welcome him to Connacht Rugby".
McNamara says having loved his time playing for the Ireland Sevens, to now play XVs rugby in the URC is a "brilliant opportunity".
"I know many Aussie-born players have made an impression when joining the club and I hope to make a similar impact."
Born in Brisbane, McNamara qualifies for Ireland through his father, who was born in Dublin.
