1997–98 Connacht Rugby season

The 1997-98 season was Connacht's third season under professionalism. Warren Gatland was in his second season as head coach. They competed in the European Challenge Cup, making the quarter-finals, and the IRFU Interprovincial Championship, finishing fourth. The win in Northampton and victory over Bordeaux-Bègles in Stade André Moga made Connacht the first professional Irish team to beat an English team in England and a French team in France respectively. The IRFU offered new contracts for provincial players for this season. Full-time players would receive a retainer of £25,000, plus a win bonus of £500 for Heineken Cup matches. Part-time players would be paid a retainer of £7,500, plus a match fee of £400 for Interprovincial matches and £800 for the Heineken Cup, and a win bonus of £450 for both competitions. Each province could have a maximum of 30 contracted players. == Players selected == == IRFU Interprovincial Championship == == European Challenge Cup == === Pool 4 === === Quarter-final === == References ==