Connacht finished the season as league champions after defeating Leinster in the 2016 Pro12 Grand Final, the team's first trophy in its 131-year history.

Having finished seventh in the 2014–15 Pro12 Connacht were entered into a play-off to qualify for the 2015–16 Champions Cup, but were beaten by Gloucester after extra time.

[2] The early stages of the season were interrupted by the 2015 Rugby World Cup leading to a congested fixture list after the tournament ended.

[11] Robbie Henshaw and Kieran Marmion were not involved, having returned to training with the Ireland squad earlier in the month, ahead of the World Cup in September.

On 7 August they faced French Top 14 side FC Grenoble, coached by former Connacht player Bernard Jackman, and were beaten 19–52 at home.

[16] The side's final pre-season game came on 21 August, when they faced Irish rivals Munster in Thomond Park.

The competition resumed in October, with Connacht facing Cardiff Blues in Galway, earning a try bonus point with a 36–31 victory.

This meant a near 6,000 kilometre trip to the Siberian city, taking nine hours across two flights for the 24 man squad that traveled.

This meant alternate plans had to be made, and the travelling party was split into three, with the groups arriving back in Ireland via Amsterdam, London and Paris.

[28] Connacht returned to Pro12 action on 28 November in their first inter-provincial derby of the season, facing Munster in Thomond Park.

On 11 February, Connacht faced Newport Gwent Dragons in Rodney Parade, beating them 21–26 and earning a try bonus point to go back to the top of the table.

[41] In their final game of the month, Connacht faced the Ospreys in the Sportsground, winning 30–22 to extend their lead at the top of the league table.

[42] On 4 March, Connacht faced Edinburgh in Murrayfield and won with a bonus point to maintain their position as league leaders.

In the second game, Connacht faced second-placed Leinster at home in an inter-provincial derby on 26 March, with a 7–6 victory seeing them extend their lead.

[44] On 1 April, Connacht faced Ulster in Kingspan Stadium with an 18–10 defeat ending their six-game winning streak in the league.

[47] Connacht then traveled to Italy to face bottom side Treviso, but in a shocking upset, the Italians won by a score of 22–21 thanks to a last gasp penalty from Jayden Hayward.

Lifestyle Sports signed a four-season deal with the province, to see their logo feature on the jersey until the end of the 2017–18 season.