As Connacht travel off to the South of France we take a trip down memory lane and recall the Province beating Bordeaux-Begles in 1997 and becoming the 1st Irish team to win in France:

Rugby History as Connacht win in France

Brodeaux-Begles 9 – 15 Connacht Rugby

Sat 20/09/1997 – European Challenge Cup – Stade Andre Moga

Connacht made rugby history by becoming the first Irish team to win on French soil, overturning Bordeaux-Begles 15 points to 9 in the European Challenge Cup. Bordeaux-Begles were led out that day by their captain Olivier Brouzet, the towering 6’7 lock who featured over 70 times for France (including 3 World Cups). Connacht were not shy of talent either and the starting XV boasted a number of Irish Internationals including Nicky Barry, Pat Duignan, Eric Elwood and Conor McGuinness as well as Ireland 7’s star William ‘Billy’ Mulcahy and the Ireland ‘A’ capped Mervyn Murphy. Connacht were captained by Waikato legend Mark McConnell who was joined by his former team-mate Junior Charlie at flanker.

Connacht:

Willie Ruane, Nicky Barry, Pat Duignan, Mervyn Murphy, Nigel Carolan, Eric Elwood, Conor McGuinness, John Maher, William Mulcahy, Michael Finlay, Graham Heaslip, Mark McConnell (C), Junior Charlie, Shane McEntee, Barry Gavin

Replacements:

Alan Reddan, Ray Ward, Martin Cahill, Bernard Jackman, Diarmuid Reddan, Simon Allnutt, Michael O’Neill

Coach: Warren Gatland Assistant Coach: Tommy Conneely Manager: Seamus King

Bordeaux-Begles:

Pascal Fauthoux, Jean-Marc Souverbie, Sebastien Loubsens, Thomas Ossard, Robbie MacDonald, Vincent Etcheto, Guy Accoceberry, Patrice Collazo, Nicolas Escouteloupe, Scott Palmer, Andre Berthozat, Olivier Brouzet (C), Sebastien Conchy, Shristphe Dongieu, Jeam-Jacques Alibert

Replacements:

Gillies Doyamboure, Laurent Dehez, Olivier Sougens, Yann Lemeur, Christophe Jean-Pierre

1997/98 European Challenge Cup Pool 4 Results

09/09/97             Connacht                       43    v          13       N’Hampton Saints

14/09/97             Nice                               20    v          16       Connacht

20/09/97             Bordeaux-Begles           9     v          15       Connacht

27/09/97             Connacht                     28     v          25       Nice

04/10/97             Connacht                     22     v          15       Bordeaux Begles

11/10/97             N’Hampton Saints        15     v          20       Connacht

08/11/97    QF   Agen                            40     v          27       Connacht