Connacht – facing French opposition for the 13th time since 1996 – were without flanker Matt Lacey (thigh) and Matt Mostyn (hamstring) shortly before kick-off. They overcame this to give themselves every chance of making the semi-finals for a second successive year.

James Downey and skipper Andrew Farley both touched down, as Australian Paul Warwick booted 16 points to give them the edge for the return at the Sportsground.

Despite Paul Warwick lobbing over a third minute penalty, Grenoble were on top in the opening stages.

Jean-Victor Bertrand angled over for a counter-attack try only seconds later, as he struck off a David Aucagne and Yohann Authier set-up.

French international Aucagne missed the conversion, but added a penalty and the extras to full back Nicolas Carmona’s 20th-minute breakaway effort, which was started by Rickus Lubbe’s clever grubber kick.

Bradley’s charges, on a three-game losing streak in the Celtic League, kept in the hunt at 15-3 down, as Warwick kicked a 32nd-minute penalty, sandwiched by two Aucagne efforts.

Crucially ex-Leinster wing Downey slalomed through the cover with two minutes remaining in the half to draw Connacht back to 21-13 down at the break.

Bradley threw Tom Tierney and Pieter Myburgh on after the restart, as Connacht gradually assumed control. It paid dividends as they held Grenoble scoreless in a magnificent display.

Warwick banged over his third penalty on 51 minutes, and just eight minutes later, the visitors hit the front as skipper Farley’s barge-over try was converted.

Connacht’s defence then held firm as they kept the Alps side out of their 22, and the home side’s challenge wilted with second row Karim Ghezal yellow-carded in injury time.

Warwick clipped over a 15-metre penalty seconds later for a five-point cushion.

European Challenge Cup Quarter Final First Leg Result:

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