2003-04: Semi-finals

Connacht claimed wins at Beziers (18-10) and at home to Section Paloise (27-7) in the pool stage, and although they were beaten in the reverse fixtures against both sides, they advanced to the quarter-finals.

The Irish province were too good for Narbonne over the two-legged encounter, winning 27-18 at Parc des Sports et de l'Amitié before triumphing 16-10 at The Sportsground to reach their first Challenge Cup semi-final.

However, they were unable to win the two-legged semi against Harlequins, going down 31-22 at Twickenham Stoop - a deficit they were unable to overcome in the reverse fixture, where a 23-18 win wasn’t enough.

2004-05: Semi-finals

Connacht reached the last four again the following season, with their place in the knockout stage confirmed by winning two-legged contests against Narbonne (51-46) and then Montpellier Hérault Rugby (70-22) in Rounds 1 and 2.

After winning both home and away for a 45-24 aggregate win over Grenoble in the quarter-finals, Connacht took on Sale Sharks in the semi-final.

They were defeated 25-18 at The Sportsground, a result which kept them in contention heading into the second leg, only for them to succumb to a bruising 59-9 loss at Edgeley Park as Sale ran in seven tries.

2009-10: Semi-finals

Another run to the semi-finals was kickstarted by six straight pool stage victories, with Olympus Rugby XV, Montpellier and Worcester Warriors all put to the sword both home and away by Connacht.

Miah Nikora’s penalty and drop-goal in the final six minutes of their quarter-final against Bourgoin handed Connacht a dramatic 23-20 victory at The Sportsground, setting up a home semi-final against RC Toulon.

The TOP 14 outfit proved too strong, however, with Jonny Wilkinson kicking 14 points and Mafi Kefu dotting down in a 19-12 win for the hosts. Connacht could only muster four penalties through Ian Keatley in reply.

With the pool draw for the 2022/23 EPCR Challenge Cup completed, we are looking at the clubs returning to the competition and the highlights of their past appearances in it, with Connacht Rugby next on the agenda.