Brilliant. Anything that bridges the gap between Lions and getting into the season works for me.

are we looking to start a new rivalry?

Good teams to test our metal against anyways

Very nice, good quality opposition away and home, Wasps in particular will be a good game. And the most important thing - no quins! lol

Has it been that long? Bloody hell.... That's some high-quality opposition, another home one would be nice

Two Preseason Games Confirmed

Connacht Rugby is delighted to announce that two preseason games have been confirmed in preparation for the upcoming 2013/14 season.

First up, the men of Connacht will travel to France to take on Castres Olympique at Stade Pierre Antoine on Saturday August 10th. The Connacht squad will spend a few days in the area training in the lead up to the game.

This is followed a week later by a clash with London Wasps at home at the Sportsground on August 17th at 5pm. These fixtures will provide incoming Head Coach Pat Lam his first chance to blend in the new summer signings and development players into the squad.

Fixtures:

Saturday August 10th Castres Olympique v Connacht Stade Pierre Antoine (kick off TBA)

Saturday August 17th Connacht v London Wasps the Sportsground (kick off 5pm)

Top 14 side Castres Olympique currently lie in fourth place in the French domestic league. They competed in Pool 4 of this year’s Heineken Cup and finished the pool stages with 14 points, one point behind second placed Northampton Saints.

It’s been over 10 years since Aviva Premiership side London Wasps last played in Galway. It was during this preseason friendly that the then Wasps club captain Lawrence Dallaglio took notice of our very own Johnny O’Connor and recommended the dynamic flanker to his Director of Rugby Warren Gatland. O’Connor joined Wasps the following year for a four year stint.

Ticket details for Connacht Rugby v London Wasps will be announced in due course.

First pre-season at home in about 3/4 years