Connacht Rugby may take at least one of next season’s European games to MacHale Park, as they look at options outside of the Sportsground – according to the Irish Independent.

The province are looking at either redeveloping their home ground or moving to a new 10,000 plus capacity stadium in the next four years. However demand for tickets has risen significantly due to their recent success and they are now looking at short term options for next year’s Champions Cup.

Their Chief Executive Willie Ruane, a Mayo native, said at yesterday’s 2016-2020 vision launch that they are open to partnering with other sports in building a new facility, and with MacHale Park and Pearse Stadium in Galway both on the list of venues for Ireland’s 2023 World Cup bid, Mr Ruane says they are open to hosting a big game in his home county.

However any game outside of Croke Park would require approval at GAA Congress next February.