Ross Moriarty’s early score was cancelled out by John Cooney before Charlie Sharples raced home. But Jack Carty was on-hand to claim the advantage at the conclusion of a thrilling first-half. Matt Healy looked to have sealed their place at Europe’s top table, but Bill Meakes’ converted try sent the play-off to extra time.

Connacht had the advantage again in extra-time with Healy’s second, but Darren Dawiduik was shunted over and the lead changed hands once more. And the tie was finally settled when Johnny May raced over to send his side into a Sixways play-off with Bordeaux-Begles on Sunday, May 31.

Moriarty helped Gloucester take their first step towards the Champions Cup pool stage when he was driven over the try-line in the second minute. James Hook’s chip forced Connacht to hastily clear for a five-metre lineout. Lock Tom Savage took the ball and smuggled it to Moriarty, who was shunted over the line. Greig Laidlaw added the extras from out-wide for an early 7-0 lead.

But the early shock sparked Connacht into life. Jack Carty narrowed the gap with a penalty before they pounced to take advantage of a Gloucester error in attack. Bill Meakes threw a risky pass to Charlie Sharples who was closed down and forced to knock-on. Cooney swept the ball up and had a free run to the line from 50 metres out, Carty converted to put the tie in Connacht’s favour.

Laidlaw levelled with a penalty before they cut Connacht open to score after 27 minutes. Hook latched onto Meakes’ pass to burst clear before finding the onrushing Sharples who raced in at the corner. But Connacht marched back once more through outside-half Carty. Fionn Carr was fed by Carty, who took a return pass to sneak over under the uprights. He converted his own try to give the Irish province  two-point advantage.

Laidlaw retook the lead with a penalty after the interval before Eoghan Masterson was sin-binned for failing to roll away. But the 14-men of Connacht refused to lie down and the pendulum swung back their way when Carty kicked across field and into the hands of Healy, who waltzed into score.

Carty’s boot looked to have sealed the triumph in the 79th minute after Gloucester took a botched quick lineout and held onto the ball at a ruck. But there was enough time for David Humphreys side to storm upfield and score through Meakes with the game’s final play. Laidlaw converted to send the tie to extra-time.

Hook then gave Gloucester the advantage in extra-time with a penalty from the half-way line. But Connacht, as they had done so many times before, came back stronger and scored through Matt Healy after Robbie Henshaw fumbled. Carty converted but Gloucester were not finished.

Dave Heffernan was yellow-carded for a ruck infringement and the hosts put the ball into the corner. Dawiduik was driven over to give Gloucester a 33-32 lead. The Kingsholm classic was finally decided when May broke through. He fed Billy Twelvetrees who returned the favour to send Gloucester into a Sixways play-off to decide the 20th place in next season's tournament.