Connacht to take on Portugal
Wednesday, 16 July 2008Connacht have announced that they will take on Portugal at the Sportsground on Wednesday 5 November.
Portugal will be the first international side Connacht have faced since hosting South Africa in August 2007 ahead of their successful World Cup campaign and will be the 11th international side to face Connacht at the Sportsground.
Connacht players Ian Keatley and Kieran Campbell already got a preview of just how good the Portugese are last weekend in Hannover, when the Ireland 7's side lost out by 14-12 in a very tight semi final.
Campbell feels that that result, coupled with Portugal's impressive showing at the World Cup last year sends a strong message out that the clash, which is due to take place during the November Internationals, will be very competitive.
'They're a very physical side, their skill level was high and they were certainly well conditioned,' the former Irish International said. 'Their backs were evasive with good ability to achieve line breaks which is a great bonus in both 7's and 15's.
'They're a very committed side who competed very well in the recent World Cup. With players playing at a good level in Europe this is enabling them to progress quickly towards the top flight of European rugby. With that in mind they'll provide us with very tough opposition in November and we'll have to be at our very best for the game.'
