mens
investec-champions-cup
Returnees of the competition Connacht overturned an earlier deficit of 12 points and achieved an exciting 45-36 Investec Champions Cup victory over Saracens in Galway, scored seven tries in a breathless Pool 2 opener.
The Westerners returned to the top of European rugby for the first time since the 2023/24 season, but Stuart Lancaster’s outfit needed a minute to shake off the Champions Cup ring.
Indeed, the visitors looked set for a comfortable evening when Sione Vaenuku and Noah Caluori crossed in the opening 11 minutes, with England veteran Owen Farrell who converted ex. However, Connacht responded impressively through the outstanding Cian Prendergast, Cathal Forde and Shamus Hurley-Langton to establish a 19-12 lead.
Not even a booking for Hurley-Langton at half-time could halt their momentum, although a Nick Tompkins try and Farrell’s conversion ensured the sides went into the box at 19-19.
Connacht struck immediately after the restart when Prendergast grabbed his second try but Saracens refused to go away. Rotimi Segun finished well before Vaenuku’s second try, converted by Farrell, reduced the deficit to just two points at 33-31.
That proved to be as close as the Saracens would get.
A brilliant spell from Connacht between the 51st and 64th minutes eventually settled the contest. Super-sub Ciaran Frawley crossed twice on his Dexcom home debut, either side of Caolin Blade, while Sam Gilbert added the extras to open up a 14-point cushion.
Prendergast’s late booking briefly gave Saracens hope and Elliot Daly struck in the final minute, but Farrell’s missed conversion summed up the visitors’ night as Connacht wrapped up a thoroughly deserved bonus-point win.
Connacht: 15 Sam Gilbert, 14 Finn Treacy, 13 Cathal Forde, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Shane Jennings, 10 Ciaran Frawley, 9 Colm Reilly, 1 Francois van Wyk, 2 Matthew Victory, 3 Sam Illo, 4 Darragh, Josh Janusen H Murray-L.
Replacements: 16 Eoin de Buitlear, 17 Billy Bohan, 18 Thomas Connolly, 19 Niall Murray, 20 Sean O’Brien, 21 Caolin Blade, 22 Josh Ioane, 23 Daniel Ryan.
Saracens: 15 Elliot Daly, 14 Noah Caluori, 13 Nick Tompkins, 12 Sione Vaenuku, 11 Rotimi Segun, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Tomos Williams, 1 Eroni Mawi, 2 Jamie George, 3 Marcus Street, 4 Olamide Utdze Sodeke, 5 H6 8 Ben Earl.
Replacements: 16 Eoghan Clarke, 17 Phil Brantingham, 18 Corne Weilbach, 19 Nick Isiekwe, 20 Nathan Michelow, 21 Alfie Barbeary, 22 Tom James, 23 Fergus Burke.
