Connacht face a daunting task to reach the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup, but the squad has spoken of the determination of adding silverware to the trophy cabinet.
The Guinness Pro14 campaign came to an end last night away to Scarlets, when the visitors blew a 21-point half-time advantage in a 41-36 defeat in Parc y Scarlets.
The result was immaterial to Connacht who were already assured of second place in Conference B and ultimately finish 19 points adrift Munster.
John Porch, Abraham Papali'i, Sean O'Brien, Dominic Robertson-McCoy and Kieran Marmion crossed the try line, while Conor Fitzgerald and Jack Carty kicked 11 points between them, but they couldn't hold on against a Scarlets side chasing Champions Cup qualification.
Captain on the night Paul Boyle couldn’t put his finger on what happened after the interval.
"We just couldn’t swing the momentum back in our favour," he said. "It was one of those games that slipped away. Even though technically it doesn’t mean anything for the league, it’s disappointing."
Andy Friend’s side will enjoy a couple of days off before getting ready for the Challenge Cup round of 16 clash away to the Gallagher Premiership club.
Having finished second-from-bottom two seasons running, the Tigers are clearly not the force of yesteryear, but head coach Steve Borthwick has brought a bit more stability since taking over from Geordan Murphy last July.
Leicester have enjoyed a 50% winning record in the league this season, the same as Connacht in the Pro14, and will pose a different challenge to the Irish province.
"We’re going to have to come back in flying in training," Boyle said.
"Leicester is going to be a great challenge, going to Welford Road, It’s a massive game for us. We spoke this week about trying to get silverware. The first step of that is in two weeks' time."
