GLOUCESTER boss David Humphreys is under no illusions that Irish province Connacht will be formidable opponents when the Cherry and Whites take to Kingsholm on Friday evening for their European Challenge Cup quarter-final, writes Gary Baker.

And if anybody should know how tough the once-called ‘fourth Irish region’ are, it is the Gloucester director of rugby who faced Connacht many times when playing as fly-half for another Irish province, Ulster.

The Cherry and Whites are one of the favourites to reach the final, along with fellow Aviva Premiership high-flyers Exeter Chiefs.

But there is another added bit of spice to why they need to win the Challenge Cup. That is because, in a season where they struggling to qualify for the bigger European Champions Cup through the Premiership for the next campaign, winning the lesser Continental crown will put them in the higher tournament.

That, though, is three games and Humphreys is certainly not counting any chickens at the moment.

He said: “It is a big ask to get into the top six now and so we are aiming for the Challenge Cup of which the winners qualify to the Champions Cup automatically.

“I would say two years ago, Connacht were the weakest of the Irish provinces by a considerable margin but Pat Lam (head coach) has done a tremendous job with them over the course of the last 12 months, not only in terms of how they play but their recruitment and the way they have got crowds in behind them.

“So Connacht are going to be very difficult although we are favourites because we are playing at home.

“I have played Connacht many, many times and there is never an easy game against them. They will come here and they themselves have huge aspirations in terms of a club which wants to break into the top three provinces in Ireland.

“It will be a great occasion here and hopefully a big crowd and something we are all very excited about.”

Gloucester know what it is like to be triumphant on the European stage. They beat London Irish in a dramatic Challenge Cup final at The Stoop, home of Harlequins, in 2006 by 36-34 after extra time.

And everyone at the Cherry and Whites, which is going through many changes, with new title sponsors, fresh faces being recruited and new energy around the city, want some silverware.

Humphreys does as well. He added: “The Challenge Cup is something we believe is important for the club and important for the group of players here. We have gone through it unbeaten at the moment. We have gone to France and won twice so it is all about creating that winning habit.

“Looking forward, if we can get some success in that competition this year, that gives us another building block for what we are trying to achieve.

“Winning competitions gives players a belief they can win anything.”

The match at Kingsholm kicks-off at 7.45pm on Friday.