Connacht 24
Bristol 14
CONNACHT HEAD COACH Kieran Keane recorded his first victory in the job as his side scored four tries to see off Pat Lam’s Bristol in front of a crowd of 3,800 at the Sportsgrounds yesterday.
The sides went into the break level after tries from Peter McCabe and David Lemi but the western province took control of the contest thereafter with Kieran Marmion and new signing Rory Scholes crossing, while referee George Clancy also awarded Connacht a penalty try.
It meant a losing return to Galway for former head coach Lam as Connacht inflicted a fourth defeat of pre-season on the English Championship club.
McCabe got Keane’s men off to the perfect start as he crashed over after just two minutes but the visitors were quickly back on level terms as winger Lemi capitalised on confusion in the Connacht rearguard to cross in a frenetic first 40.
It remained 7-7 at the interval before Connacht regained the lead almost straight after the restart as Marmion found the gap at the bottom of the ruck to dot down.
A penalty try extended Connacht’s lead, only for Bristol to come roaring back through Mat Protheroe’s stunning individual score.
But new arrival Scholes scored his second try in as many games to ensure victory for the home side.
Connacht begin their Guinness Pro14 campaign against Glasgow in Galway next Saturday.
CONNACHT: 15. Darragh Leader; 14. Cian Kelleher, 13. Eoin Griffin, 12. Craig Ronaldson, 11. Matt Healy; 10. Jack Carty, 9. Kieran Marmion; 1. Dan McCabe, 2. Tom McCartney, 3. Finlay Bealham, 4. Ultan Dillane, 5. Andrew Browne, 6. Eoghan Masterson, 7. Jarrad Butler, 8. John Muldoon (captain).
Replacements: Shane Delahunt, JP Cooney, Conor Carey, James Cannon, Eoin McKeon, Conor McKeon, Steve Crosbie, Bundee Aki, Stacey Ili, Rory Scholes.
BRISTOL: 15. Jordan Williams; 14. David Lemi, 13. Will Hurrell, 12. Tusi Pisi, 11. Tom Varndell; 10. Ian Madigan, 9. Rhodri Williams; 1. Soane Tonga’uiha, 2. Jason Harris-Wright, 3. Sione Faletau, 4. Joe Batley, 5. Joe Joyce, 6. Sam Jeffries (captain), 7. Dan Thomas, 8. Nick Haining.
Replacements: Max Crumpton, Jack Cosgrove, Tyler Gendall, Joe Latta, Steven Luatua, Jack Lam, Jordan Crane, Reiss Cullen, Billy Searle, Jack Tovey, Sam Bedlow, Luke Morahan, Mat Protheroe.
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Can’t help but wonder what if Ferris was still playing that would be a frightening back row.
True. Ferris would be an upgrade on Stander
Two bulldozers! Only one more sleep lads
Can’t wait to see them 3 get stuck in and cause complete mayhem
CJ and SOB are gona tear the frogs a new arsehole
When u think o mahony and Henderson has to come back into this squad,and Wat they both bring to De table,and with the quality ireland have right across all back positions now,and De quality coming through,irish rugby is definitely, at international level,in a great place..
Shame that knob jockey pape won’t be playing. We won’t get to see Seanie give him a cuddle!
Thought ruddock was on bench not TOD?
There was some confusion yesterday but it is the TOD.
It shows the quality we have in the back row when Ruddock can’t get in the 23.
Or when POM isn’t missed. (Tactically, personally we still miss him)
Disagree with that, I am biased against Munster and despite that I think he is arguably Ireland’s best forward – he is always immense when he plays for Ireland – I don’t think Stander, Henry or O’Donnell can match him
I’m a huge POM fan and really think he adds something extra. But if we lose we won’t be saying “of only Peter had been playing”. His replacement doesn’t fall THAT far short.
Just consider for a moment Henderson playing at 6 along with Stander at 8 and O’Brien at 7.
That would be the dream combination
Just need to find pace on the Inge and power in the second row and then we have a team to be feared
I’d have Henderson at second row. Completely fills the position but the advantage of another back row in the loose.
You’d sort of be missing Heaslip at 8 there, lad
Can’t wait for an ireland win..