ALL SET... Connacht coach Michael Bradley whose side can reach the quarter-finals of the European Challenge Cup for the fifth time in six years if they beat Brive on Friday. Photo: Damien Eagers/SPORTSFILE

A pool campaign which threatened to derail after an opening night loss in France can end on a huge high for Connacht when they take on Brive at the Sportsground on Friday night.

Most of Connacht's big events in the Sportsground in recent years have centred around the European Challenge Cup and Friday night can be the latest addition.

But, as Connacht coach Michael Bradley pointed out this week, his side still face a big battle if they are to complete their recovery job and nail down a quarter-final spot in the European Challenge Cup.

"Brive beat us when we played them in France and that left us having a lot of ground to make up in the pool.

"Thankfully, we are now in this position but there is still a big battle to face before we can go through.

"Brive are not getting the reward their performances deserve this season but we know they are formidable and probably should have won in Newcastle.

"They have nothing to lose on Friday night and they will come to Galway to have a right crack off us. "It should be a great occasion given all that is at stake and we are hopeful that a big crowd in the Sportsground could swing it our way," said Bradley.

Victory for Connacht will see them face a trip to England in April for a quarter-final encounter against either Sale Sharks, Worcester or Bath.

But that is something they would have grabbed with glee after losing in Brive but, ultimately, it was the victory over Newcastle Falcons at the Sportsground which rescued their campaign and ensured that on the final weekend of pool games their fate lies in their own hands.

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