It will be something of a friends reunion when Connacht host Bristol Bears this evening but former coach Pat Lam can expect no favours once the whistle blows.
The sides face off in the final round of the pool stages of the Investec Champions Cup, both desperate for a win to continue their European adventure.
Connacht, with just one point from three games, realistically need a five-point victory, while denying the visitors a bonus.
Saracens could still come into the equation at the bottom on Pool 1 but are favourites to get the two points needed to guarantee qualification for the last 16 when they host Lyon.
Pete Wilkins' charges are targeting a place in the Challenge Cup and will secure that by finishing fifth.
Lam led Connacht to their most famous day back in 2016 when they beat Leinster in the Pro12 final in Edinburgh.
The former Samoa international departed for Bristol in 2017 and tonight’s 8pm kick-off will be his third visit back.
The Bears travelled over for a pre-season friendly in 2017 and knocked Connacht out of the Champions Cup with a 27-18 victory in December 2020, a game played behind closed doors due to Covid-19 restrictions.
"I'm so excited to come back. [2016] is still the highlight," Lam, whose side lost at home to the Bulls last weekend, told Galway Bay FM.
"When you consider the budget that we had then, where we were, who we were, what we managed to achieve.
"It's always special. A lot of memories, it's been a while but it will be nice to go back and see everyone.
"When we did draw Connacht, which I wasn't necessarily happy about in that sense, but what I was happy about was the chance to come back to Galway, which I often do, to visit friends.
"[My team] are in for a treat on the field and off the field."
There are many more links between the two clubs.
Former winger Niyi Adeolokun, who scored a try in the 2016 final, spent two seasons at Bristol from 2020 to 2022.
Pro12-winning captain John Muldoon began his coaching career under Lam at the Bears before switching back at the end of last season.
Former Connacht flanker Jake Heenan is set to travel with the visitors but has missed out on the match-day 23.
Second row Joe Joyce joined the Westerners from Bristol last season after making over 150 appearances for the English side. He starts for Wilkins' side.
Kieran Marmion, who won 28 Ireland caps and made 230 appearances for Connacht, joined the Premiership club at the end of last season and starts on the bench tonight.
AJ MacGinty was the starting out-half when Connacht won the league eight years ago is back.
"He's settled in well, he's well respected," Lam said of scrum-half Marmion.
"The boys can see why [we bought him]. They think this kid's tough. He's fit in brilliantly.
"With AJ coming back to play [after injury], the two of them are the old guard from Connacht."
A big crowd is expected at the Sportsground this evening.
"Are we looking forward to seeing Pat? Of course we are," said Wilkins (above).
"He’s a good man and he’s associated with success here.
"We look forward to seeing him but there’s so much at stake in terms of the game and the competitiveness of that.
"We’ll shake hands before and hopefully have a beer afterwards but we’ll be focused on getting a win."
Connacht welcome back Bundee Aki and Finlay Bealham for the match.
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