The Connacht rugby team is based in Galway city, which has a population of approximately 68,000, while the population of the province of Connacht is 464,000. Put into context - Leinster has a population of 1.9 million; Munster has 1.1 million and Ulster approx 1.5 million.

Galway airport has four times daily flights to and from Dublin and also operates daily services to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester and Luton. Shannon airport is just over an hours drive to the south, while travelling from Dublin takes two hours and 50 minutes by train.

There is a wide range of accommodation in the city. From a whole host of bed and breakfast accommodation, including many within five minutes of the Sportsground, to top quality hotels including the Days Hotel Galway, who are an associate sponsor of Connacht rugby and are only a short walk away.

The Sportsground is situated on College Road, approximately a 10-minute walk from the centre of Galway and the rail and bus station. It can be accessed easily from the Dublin/Limerick road and there is car parking at the ground.

Supporters are advised to arrive reasonably early to secure a space; otherwise parking is available in the vicinity. There is a bar and restaurant under the main stand which includes a merchandise shop, while the upstairs-enclosed area also has a bar as well as the very popular corporate entertainment facilities.

Galway city is the cultural capital of Ireland, renowned for its numerous and varied festivals. The city is the fastest growing in the country and is a hugely-popular holiday location.

Rugby has been played in Connacht for 119 years, which is remarkable considering the dominance of hurling and especially Gaelic football in the five counties. Slowly, but surely, in recent seasons the game of rugby has grown in Connacht and today it is neck and neck with soccer for the province's third most popular support.

Last season, Connacht reached the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup - for the second season in succession - going down to eventual winners Sale Sharks. The previous campaign also ended with defeat to the eventual champions this time in the shape of NEC Harlequins.

Connacht battled hard for a Heineken Cup qualifying place with Cardiff towards the end of last season's Celtic League, but lost out by three points in the closing weeks, as Cardiff hit form.