Connacht hits a massive surprise score against Racing 92

Races 26 Connacht 22

European rugby continues to impose and confuse Connacht, once again he took the big stage and was about to produce the biggest surprise of the first round of the Champions Cup.

In the end, expectations were met, but not before three-time finalist Racing 92 was forced to hold on to a four-point lead with Connacht in attack.

Racing, having built a 19-8 lead at halftime before pocketing their fourth down at 11 minutes into the second half, appeared to be too strong and too powerful up front. Their supremacy in the lineout, both in attack and defense, provides the home team with a forward ball for their international runners to enjoy.

But enter some fresh legs in the second half for Connacht, and a traditional never-die work ethic, and Andy Friend’s men came within inches of turning the game around.

That Connacht, with all the momentum, had the opportunity to take all the points with the last play of the game was frustrating for Friend.

“We knew it was going to be difficult and we gave ourselves a very good chance to win, and we didn’t, so there is an element of frustration,” said the Connacht head coach.

“Let’s call it what it was, his play and maul dominated. I think we fixed it in the second half. We overruled it much better, which was good. Despite the line-out, which is an area that we have to look at, I thought about staying in the game and until the end having possession, it shows the amount of character and courage on this side.

“I am proud of the performance. We worked really hard to get back and then we just couldn’t make it in the end. The momentum had definitely shifted our way, so to get that penalty at the end, and be at 22, I could imagine we were going to win that soccer game, but we didn’t. They also lost opportunities, so in the end the result is probably a true reflection of that, but either team could have won. “

Europe has often been the springboard for Connacht to produce its best fighting spirit, and two attempts in the last 20 minutes here put them in contention again against last year’s finalists.

“We are building a continuing belief and understanding about how we want to play and what we can do against opponents. We have learnings today, and now we have Bristol next Sunday. “

Connacht might as well be without captain Jarrad Butler with an HIA and Sean Masterson, who injured his knee in one inning, but youngsters like Cian Prendergast, Jordan Duggan and Jack Aungier didn’t seem out of place at Paris La Defense Arena.

Three attempts in an entertaining first half put the hosts in control, but there were still plenty of positives for Friend’s side with some great intentional carries, led by Ultan Dillane.

However, a stuttering lineout too often gave the French hosts easy possession, and from a touchdown penalty the rolling maul could not be stopped before George Henri Colombe broke the defensive line to score, and Maxime Machenaud added the extras.

Real hope

Three minutes later, Connacht scored his first points when Dave Heffernan’s good work forced his opponent offside into the ruck, and Jack Carty was able to convert. Aussie Kurtley Beale’s footwork did the damage for Racing’s second attempt, and as Connacht struggled to gain possession of the first phase through a shaky lineout, the group again set up a third attempt before Donovan Taofifenua will cross with an acrobatic ending.

Connacht, however, held on and gave himself real hope when Matt Healy threw an excellent Carty cross kick to score, cutting the deficit to 19-8 at the break. Although it seemed impossible again when Bernard Le Roux broke through for the fourth attempt after 51 minutes.

Excellent defense from John Porch and Dave Heffernan stopped Racing’s momentum before Conancht took control in the fourth quarter. Winger Alex Wootton became a poacher on defense, producing the perfect interception to dash across the field to score, Carty’s conversion closed the gap to 26-15.

And when the home team was denied a forward pass attempt, it gave the visitors the boost they needed. From a touchdown penalty, Dillane, Caolin Blade, Aungier kept Connacht on the front foot attacking the line before Conor Oliver found the gap to score. But that was the closest they had come.

Scoring sequence – 6 minutes: Colombe attempt, Machenaud with 7-0; 10 minutes: Carty pen 7-3; 17 minutes: Beale try, Iribaren with 14-3; 23 minutes: D Taofifenua try, 19-3; 40 minutes: Healy try 19-8; Halftime. 19-8; 51 minutes: Le Roux try, Iribaren with 26-8; 62 minutes: Wootton test, Daly with 26-15; 75 minutes: C Oliver tries, Daly pen 26-22.

Racing 92: K Beale; T Thomas, V Vakatawa, H Chavancy, D Taofifenua; F Russell, T Iribaren; E Ben Arous, C Chat, GH Colombe; B Le Roux, D Bird; W Lauret, B Chouzenoux, F Sanconnie.

Replacements Maxime Machenaud (3-13 min HIA, permanent 59 min) for Iribaren; Kevin Le Guen Camille Chat (18 minutes), Guram Gogichashvili for Ben Arous (50 minutes), Cedat Gomes Sa for Colombe (50 minutes), Ibrahim Diallo for Laure (59 minutes), Donnacha Ryan for Le Roux (67 minutes).

Connacht: J Porch; A Wootton, S Arnold, T Daly, M Healy; J Carty, K Marmion; D Buckley, D Heffernan, F Bealham; E Masterson, U Dillane; S Masterson, J Butler, Paul Boyle.

Replacements, C Oliver for Butler (13 minutes), C Prendergast for Masterson (35 minutes), J Duggan for Buckley, J Aunger for Bealham, B Aki for Arnold and C Blade for Marmion (all 50 minutes), S Delahunt for Heffernan ( 64 minutes), T O’Halloran for Porche (76 minutes).

Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU).