A host of midlands players were involved for the Irish province against Lyon on Saturday.
Connacht will be reflecting on errors that cost them a potentially historic result in France, according to former Ireland prop Mike Ross.
The Westerners needed to secure a victory in Lyon to keep their Champions Cup interest alive but fell to a 34-20 defeat.
Despite scoring three tries, Pete Wilkins' side were overpowered on occassion at set-piece and missed a number of first-up tackles.
Birr's Peter Dooley, Athlone's Jack Carty, former buccaneers man Darragh Murray all started, while Ballinasloe's Matthew Devine made his debut off the bench.
A former expert exponent of the dark arts in the front row, Ross says Dooley and Connacht did relatively well all things considered:
Westmeath And Laois Win Big In Leinster Minor Hurling Championship
Buccaneers Round Off AIL Season With Victory
Athlone Town Begin All Island Cup With Victory
Offaly Secure Win Over Laois In Leinster U20 Hurling Championship
Athlone Town Claim Bragging Rights In El Classico
There Should Be A Big Crowd For Offaly Laois Next Weekend - Brian Gavin
Buccaneers Travel To Galwegians For Final Game Of AIL Season
Athlone Town Look To Maintain Unbeaten Home Record
Laois And Offaly Face Off In Leinster U20 Hurling Championship
Patsy Joyce Gearing Up For World Boxing Cup In Brazil
Westmeath's Jessica Hennessy Helps Bournemouth Lift Silverware
Athlone Town Kick Off All Island Cup
Westmeath U20s Bounce Back While Laois Drop Out
Laois, Offaly And Westmeath In Action In U20 Football Championship
Westmeath Take Down Dublin In Leinster Minor Football Championship
Buccaneers Beaten By Sligo In Penultimate Game Of The Season
Westmeath Host Dublin In Leinster Minor Football Championship
Laois Hurling Captain Says Winning Games Vital For Confidence