Challenge Cup: Connacht 35 Cardiff 20
Connacht will prepare to face Paris powerhouse Racing 92 in their next European Challenge Cup chapter, after prevailing in their round of 16 clash against familiar foes Cardiff.
Having targeted a European trophy, Connacht’s seasonal ambitions took a vital step closer to fruition with a solid victory win over fellow URC hopefuls Cardiff in Dexcom Stadium, and they now face a meeting one of Europe’s elite – the three-time Champions Cup finalists from France.
“An unbelievable team,” says Connacht coach Cullie Tucker, “so it’s a huge challenge. People might write us off, but this is a great opportunity in this competition.
“More than anything, the star-studded names they have will make it very exciting next week. So it’s a brilliant challenge.”
The availability of Connacht’s Ireland trio Bundee Aki, Finlay Bealham and Mack Hansen were integral in Connacht’s drive for the quarter-final, and delivered on Saturday, so too did youngster Finn Treacy, the Wicklow-born 20-year-old academy player who has now scored three tries in his five appearances.
“[It] shows the work done with Eric Elwood in our academy. But what does Finn have? He’s got pace and there’s no answer for pace on a rugby pitch when you put it into space. A very tough and intelligent player with a big future.”
Connacht, having done all the hard work in the pool stages to claim top seed, reaped the reward, and were helped by the ideal start when Mack Hansen delivered to young scrumhalf Matthew Devine, who scored within three minutes, JJ Hanrahan nailing the conversion.
Cardiff, hugely efficient in defence, claimed their opening try after 37 minutes – a deserved reward for quick ruck ball, and, with Hansen off the field with a yellow card, the visitors were able to exploit the gap in defence with Rey Lee-Lo scoring.
It was not until half-time Connacht turned possession into points, capitalising on successive penalties. Eventually captain Dave Heffernan, Josh Murphy and Shamus Hurley Langton, helped number eight Sean Jansen to claim the try, with Hanrahan adding the extras for a 14-8 lead at the break.
Within a minute of the restart Finn Treacy scored, helped in the build-up by Connacht’s big players Finlay Bealham and Heffernan, and Hanrahan’s conversion put the home side into a 21-8 lead.
The visitors, however, retook control, but Connacht’s defence delivered with youngster Hugh Gavin winning a vital turnover. However, they were unable to stop Ben Thomas from scoring for Cardiff after 54 minutes, and eight minutes later, when Josh Adams raced in from 20 metres after a Harry Miller break, the gap was down to 21-20 with 20 minutes remaining.
Connacht produced the necessary response when Mack Hansen found Shayne Bolton who scored, following a super passage of play between Caolin Blade and Bundee Aki in the build-up. Ioane kicked the sideline conversion to extend Connacht’s lead to 28-20 with some 15 minutes remaining.
Cardiff, however, were back on the offensive pounding the line, but eventually, in a key moment, they were halted by Dylan Tierney Martin and Aki. And with four minutes remaining and Connacht ahead by eight points, replacement Paul Boyle delivered the fifth try after Ben Thomas was yellow carded. Ioane added the extras to seal the victory and a meeting French aristocrats Racing 92 in the quarter-final.
Scoring sequence: 2 mins Devine try, Hanrahan con 7-0; 37 mins Lee-Lo try 7-5; 40+4 mins Jansen try, Hanrahan con 14-5 HT 14-5. 41 mins Treacy try, Hanrahan con 21-5; 53 mins Thomas try to con 21-15; 60 mins Adams try, Thomas con 21-20; 66 mins Bolton try, Ioane con 28-20, 76 mins Boyle try, Ioane con 35-20.
Connacht: M Hansen, S Bolton, H Gavin, B Aki, F Treacy, JJ Hanrahan, M Devine, J Duggan, D Heffernan, F Bealham, Ó Dowling, D Murray, J Murphy, S Hurley-Langton, S Jansen. Replacements: J Ioane for Bolton (41 mins), D Tierney-Martin for Heffernan (43 mins), D Buckley, J Aungier, N Murray, P Boyle, C Blade for Devine, D Buckley for Bealham.
Yellow card: Mack Hansen 32 mins
Cardiff Rugby: C Winnett; J Adams, R Lee-Lo, B Thomas, H Millard; C Sheedy, J Mulder; D Southworth, L Belcher, K Assiratti, J McNally, T Williams, A Lawrence, J Botham, T Faletau. Replacements: R Litterick for Assirati (52 mins), E Lloyd for Belcher (55 mins), C Domachowski for Southworth, R Jennings for Sheedy and T Young for Botham (61 mins), Thornton for McNally (67 mins).
Yellow card: Josh McNally 40 mins, Ben Thomas 75 mins.
Referee: Luc Ramos (France).
