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Connacht vs Montauban Predictions - Connacht to inflict another loss on Montauban

Brad Newcomb

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Last updated: 2 hours ago

Brad Newcomb 2 hours ago

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Connacht solid at home, winning 3 of last 5.
Montauban struggling with form, losing 7 in a row away.
Connacht favoured to cover the handicap.

Connacht play their best rugby at home (Getty Images)

Connacht have been in fair form in the European Challenge Cup this season, while Montauban have had a poor campaign in the competition.

Connacht have lost 4 consecutive fixtures in all competitions.
Connacht have won 3 of their last 5 home games in all competitions.
Montauban have lost 9 in a row in all competitions.
Montauban have lost 8 consecutive away matches in all competitions.

Head to Head

Connacht and Montauban will meet for the first time in a competitive match.

Connacht Form

Connacht fell short in their European Challenge Cup match against Montpellier, losing 33-31 away from home after leading 24-14 at the break.

Connacht lost 24-21 to the Ospreys away from home but thumped Black Lion 52-0 at home earlier in the competition.

Connacht have had some success at home in the URC this season. They defeated Benetton 26-15, lost 28-27 to the Bulls, and beat the Sharks 44-17 before losing 29-24 to Ulster.

Connacht are 4th in Pool 1 with eight points from three matches.

Connacht play their best rugby at home and will fancy their chances to pocket all the points on offer when they host an out-of-sorts Montauban side.

Montauban Form

Montauban succumbed to their third consecutive defeat in the EPCR Challenge Cup last weekend, losing 31-28 to Black Lion of Georgia at home after trailing 24-7 at half-time.

Before that, Montauban had suffered defeats in their opening pool matches, losing 41-17 to Zebre away and 35-22 to the Ospreys at home.

Montauban have been poor on the road in the Top 14 this season, losing 47-24 to Stade Francais, 71‑24 to Bordeaux, 84‑31 to Clermont, 54‑19 to La Rochelle, 49‑7 to Bayonne, 54‑28 to Toulon, and 61-16 to Racing 92.

Montauban are last in Pool 1 with two points from three games.

Montauban have been in a slump, losing seven consecutive away games, and they have conceded too many points on the road this season.

Team News

Connacht

Scrum coach Cullie Tucker has stated that Montauban should not be overlooked coming into this clash with Connacht: “There’s plenty of stuff for us to worry about. Their ability to get down the field through kicking and kick-chase as well. They’ve had some hard results for sure, but when you look at them, they’ve got X-factor all around the pitch that we need to be very, very aware of. I actually think they have one of the best back fives I’ve seen.”

Jack Aungier, Jack Carty, Matthew Devine, Dave Heffernan, and Sean Naughton are available for selection this week.

Montauban

Jerome Bosviel scored a try and slotted four conversions against Black Lion last weekend.

Yvan Reilhac, Maixent da Costa, and Karl Wilkins each crossed the try line in the match.