Heffernan: 2016 Pro12 final shows we 'can defy odds'

In a period of rich pickings in Irish rugby, Connacht's Pro12 final win against Leinster in 2016 still stands out.

Grown men cried, life-long Leinster fans cheered on their opponents, and a team that survived an attempt to wind it up as a professional outfit 14 years previous, got their hands on a major trophy.

Their easy-on-the-eye style of play led one viewer to describe it like 'watching Barcelona play rugby'.

Just five of the players involved in Friday evening's Heineken Champions Cup round-of-16 first-leg clash against Leinster at the Sportsground (8pm) played a part on the day, while legendary captain John Muldoon and head coach Pat Lam have long since departed.

"It’s obviously a completely different team, a completely different coaching set-up," Dave Heffernan, who came on as a replacement in the 20-10 victory, told RTÉ Sport.

"There are not a huge amount guys here now that were the key players then but I suppose there is that belief that we can do it and there is something special there.

"The support we had that day [was great], they will be like an extra man on the pitch as well so it just does give you that belief that it can be done and you can defy the odds on big occasions."

Leinster started that day with 12 full Ireland internationals but had no answer for Connacht’s full-press game.

The memories bring a smile the Mayo native’s face.

"The one that’s stuck in my head is just walking into the stadium that day, there were thousands of fans welcoming us off the bus singing the Fields of Athenry," says the 31-year-old hooker, who has six Ireland caps.

"That’s something that will stick with me forever and they are the days you dream about playing.

"That is the reason you play the game, big occasions like this."

Connacht No 8