Preview, Team News and Prediction

Connacht are looking to make it to the knockout stages of the competition. Brive are struggling.

Connacht have named a mixture of youth and experience in their side. Gavin Thornbury, Kieran Marmion and Bundee Aki come back into the side travelling to France. Shane Delahunt starts his first game after a long time out due to injury. David Hawkshaw keeps his place at 10. Conor Fitzgerald comes into full back in place of Tiernan O’Halloran. The bench is inexperienced. It is the first time the team has seen Jordan Duggan and Dominic Robertson-McCoy this season. It's hard to tell the form they will be in.

Tom Daly hasn't found his form due to injuries. Bundee will play at 12 with Tom Daly.

Brive start former Connacht players TieTie Tuimauga, Sammy Arnold and Abraham Papali’I. Tie was with Connachts for one season. Papa was never fully used to his potential with the club. Daniel Brennan, Florian Dufour, Renger van Eerten, Tevita Ratuva, Retief Marais, Paul Abadie, Kevin Fabien, Nico Lee, Wesley Douglas, Nicolas Sanchez, Seta Tuicuvu, and Kevin Fajien start for Brive.

Sammy was a great player for Connacht. He went through a lot of work in his last season with Connachts.

Connacht are looking to get off to a good start against Brive. Brier are struggling in the Top 14 and are currently in relegation battle.

Connacht are looking for a quick start on Friday night.