FURLONG READY TO REPEAT DOSE

TADHG FURLONG admits it is “game on” as Leinster strive to stop Connacht’s x-factor attack at the Aviva Stadium on Friday.

- MICHAEL SCULLY

The Blues were fairly content as they departed the Sportsground with a five-point lead at halftime in this two-legged round of 16 tie.

Connacht, with no previous experience of the tournament’s knock-out stages, went into their home leg as big underdogs but emerged with massive credit.

Andy Friend’s side struck early through John Porch’s try but could have left themselves with far too much ground to make up after James Lowe and Hugo Keenan scored three tries between them.

Instead, Leva Fifita’s 61st-minute try keeps Connacht well in the tie with the Good Friday showdown to determine which province makes the quarter-finals.

“There’s a lot for both sides to learn, two teams that obviously know each other fairly well now,” said Leinster’s world-class prop Furlong (above). “It’s game on.”