A new season starts for Connacht on Saturday with a redeveloped pitch and new player additions, but the ambition remains the same, to qualify for the knock-out stages of all competitions.
That has become the minimum requirement for Andy Friend - now the director of rugby and in his fifth season - as the season opens with the bread and butter of the URC. It dominates this opening period before Connacht go into the European campaign where this season they face second tier Challenge Cup opposition. And with that must come a real ambition for silverware.
"We want to make the play-offs of both competitions," says Friend. "If you can make the URC play-offs, you know you are in Champions Cup - that is the challenge. We were not successful last year, so that is the minimum.
"Last year was the first time making the knockout stages of the Champions Cup, and we want to do the same this year [in the Challenge Cup] and see how we go from there."
Although 11 players from last season's squad have left, Connacht has added seven - most notably Leinster's Pete Dooley and Josh Murphy.
Dooley with 104 Leinster caps will provide considerable experience up front, and Friend says although it was a brave move for him, he believes it "will pay enormous dividends" for Connacht. Josh Murphy made an immediate impression in Connacht's pre-season victory against Sale, adding that "real bit of mongrel to our pack which we needed", while Dave Hawkshaw, who could make his debut this weekend in the absence Jack Carty, has a "real skill set, versatility and is a real pro". Friend says the fourth former Leinster player, winger Adam Byrne has "real potential". In addition there are two from Down Under, Kiwi backrow player Shamus Hurley-Langton from the Manawatu, and Australia's Western Force winger, Byron Ralston who is also Irish qualified.
Friend says in addition to the new players, six Academy players have moved up, including outhalf Cathal Forde, Darragh Murray, Oisin McCormack, Shane Jennings, Diarmuid Kilgallen ,and Ciaran Booth.
“We still have a lot of youth. As well as the six new blokes we brought in from outside, we brought up those from the academy, and then we have the likes of Paul Boyle, who not so long ago was in an academy, Niall Murray, Conor Fitzgerald - those blokes who are now another year older, stronger and wiser in their rugby.
“I think there is a beautiful blend of our youth and emerging talent that is coming through, and then we have dropped in a few more experienced blokes, Adam Byrne, Peter Dooley, Josh Murphy, as well as our own Jack Carty, Jarrad Butler, Bundee Aki - those fellas.
"I think we have a really neat blend of youth, emerging talent that has been two to three years in the making, and senior players who can drive it, so with that, it is let’s go make the knockout stages of both competitions.”
First, however, is a tricky trio of league fixtures, and on Saturday it is Dan McFarland's Ulster on in Ravenhill (7.35pm ). They then head to South Africa to face the DHL Stormers and Vodacom Bulls - the fixture list accommodating Connacht's development of its synthetic pitch at the Sportsground.
This weekend he will face Ulster without his top trio of on-field leaders, including captain Jack Carty, who has returned to training following wrist surgery, and vice-captains Jarrad Butler (hand ), and Bundee Aki. Mack Hansen is also unavailable after the tour with Ireland to South Africa, while Diarmuid Kilgallon (hamstring ), and Finlay Bealham (calf ) are also ruled out.
After two pre-season games - one win against Sale, one loss against Castres - Friend says his squad is ready to play, and nothing better than an interprovincial first up, and then two challenges away in South Africa.
“A great way to start our season [against Ulster], and then head to South Africa and the chance to have a bonding tour. We know we can beat them, and it’s a great time to take them on.”
Dan McFarland's Ulster goes into the fixture without a pre-season challenge - Ulster's pre-season challenge against Glasgow being called off - but McFarland knows he has the talent to challenge for honours, and will have been frustrated to date.
Blessed to have three of their opening four URC fixtures at home, McFarland knows he needs to make a fast start to realise any trophy ambitions after some disappointments in the past - thus Connacht will need to be on their toes.
However, Friend's squad will travel in confidence and excitement of the season ahead, knowing the way in which they overcame Sale in their pre-season friendly should bode well for the season ahead.
