In October 1997 Warren Gatland's battling squad travelled to the famous venue needing a huge upset to reach the last eight of the competition and were rated as rank outsiders. The westerners duly stunned their star-studded opponents with three tries from Nigel Carolan, John Maher and Junior Charlie, winning 20-15.

A victory at the home of the Saints this weekend would rival that achievement in many ways, as Northampton have lost just once at the venue since 2007 and Connacht have never won on English soil under Michael Bradley.

Yet the Irish province will travel in high spirits following their bonus point 39-17 dismissal of the Dragons last Friday night. The Magners League's basement side scored five second half tries in a morale boosting display.

The team for the Saints game shows just one change from last week, Frank Murphy returns at scrum half in place of Conor O'Loughlin who excelled against the Dragons when called up to start at the eleventh hour. Robbie Morris hasn't recovered from a calf injury which means Ronan Loughney keeps his place at tight head.

Lock forward Andrew Farley will become only the second player ever to play 150 games for Connacht. The 28-year old joined Connacht in 2003 and is following in the footsteps of current assistant coach Eric Elwood who completed the milestone during his final season in 2005.

For coach Michael Bradley, Saturday will be his fourth quarter final in six seasons, the last coming in 2006 when Connacht were beaten 23-3 by Newcastle.
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"We haven't been at this stage of the competition for a couple of years so it will be a big day for Connacht and a great high profile game for us," said Bradley.

Northampton's home record really is formidable, they have won 31 from their last 32 - the latest coming last weekend in the shape of a huge 40- 22 victory over Gloucester. And the only reverse at home during the period for the 2000 Heineken Cup winners was the recent 19-13 shock defeat by Newcastle Falcons.

"We know they are very good at Franklin's Gardens" added Bradley. "We are familiar with a number of their players, such as former Ulster players and back row forwards Roger Wilson and Neil Best as well as former Connacht centre James Downey - all of them players in key positions."

For Connacht to repeat the feat of that 1997 side they will need all the chips to fall correctly this afternoon. Niva Ta'auso and Gavin Duffy may provide the spark out wide while out-half Ian Keatley was superb last week. Up front, the talented Brett Wilkinson will be scrimmaging against the highly rated Scottish tight-head Euan Murray.

Northampton Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder believes Connacht should be treated with respect and has warned against any complacency among the Saints' players and supporters ahead of the game.

"It is a massive game for both clubs, particularly with a home semi-final up for grabs," Mallinder said on Friday. "This is why we have named a strong side for the match. We are treating Connacht with the same respect we have given every other opposition club this season. They have earned their right to be in the quarter final having come through a tough group and I am expecting a difficult afternoon."

Last Friday's victory over the Dragons has given Connacht an opportunity to challenge for a Heineken Cup place in the coming weeks but that remains a slim possibility. For now though a major European victory such as an away quarterfinal win is badly needed to help capture the imagination of the wider sporting public out west. This is their chance but it might be asking a little too much.

Northampton: B Foden; P Diggin, J Ansbro, J Downey, B Reihana (c); S Myler, L Dickson; S Tonga'uiha D Hartley, E Murray; I Fernandez Lobbe, J Kruger; N Best, S Gray, R Wilson

Replacements: B Sharman, T Smith, C Lawes, M Easter, A Dickens, B Everitt, C Mayor.

Connacht: G Duffy; F Carr, N Ta'auso, K Matthews, L Bibo; I Keatley, F Murphy; B Wilkinson, S Cronin, R Loughney; A Browne, A Farley; J Muldoon (C), J O'Connor, R Ofisa.

Replacements: A Flavin, B McGovern, M Swift, C Rigney, C O'Loughlin, A Dunne, T Nathan.

Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Touch judges: Cédric Marchat (France), Bernard Dal Maso (France)
Assessor: Fergus Neil (Scotland)
Television match official: Brian Abrahams (England)

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