Connacht tame the Dragons in Sportsground dismantling
United Rugby Championship: Connacht 31-7 Dragons
If Connacht are to challenge at the top half of the URC table this season, then bonus-point home wins are a must.
That’s exactly what they achieved on Saturday night, as they secured all five points with a display of scintillating attacking rugby.
The win was especially significant considering the two previous Interprovincial losses to Ulster and Leinster – and Pete Wilkins’ side bounced back with aplomb in front of a buoyant Galway crowd.
The westerners’ back-row was dominant on the night, while Caolin Blade and Bundee Aki consistently poked holes in the Dragons defence. Cathal Forde also turned in another player-of-the-match performance.
First Half
Connacht took the lead through the in-form Paul Boyle after 6 minutes, following a sustained period of attacking pressure on the Dragons tryline. The try came after Connacht opted to kick to touch for a lineout, turning down a relatively easy opportunity for 3 points. Cathal Forde added the extras.
Connacht’s defensive scramble held firm minutes later, after a strong carry by centre Aneurin Owens had the home side under pressure.
In the 19th minute, Connacht showcased their attacking flair with some accurate offloading rugby, finished by Caolin Blade.
A line break by Shayne Bolton on the right wing set up Sean O’Brien for a strong carry. The ball was then moved in-field, and Bundee Aki’s scything running line and offload to Blade put the scrum-half under the posts. Forde again kicked the conversion successfully.
The Dragons continued to pepper Connacht’s 22 with attacks after this score, but the westerner’s defensive rigidity prevailed.
Down the other end of the pitch, Connacht’s slick handling was starting to pay dividends. They were almost in again in the 33rd minute following a nice offload from Boyle to Blade.
Bundee Aki and Piers O’Conor created holes for the westerners, and Connacht started to apply pressure consistently in the opposition’s half.
Pete Wilkin’s side added a third on the stroke of half-time. Caolin Blade resembled a back-row forward with his carry following a lineout in the Dragon’s 22. The ball was shipped to Bundee Aki, and his tip pass to Cian Prendergast led to an imperious carry from the captain – running over Dane Blacker like a freight train on his way to the line.
Second Half
Following the interval, Dragons pressure led to a five-metre scrum after Sean O’Brien carried the ball over his own line. The Dragons tapped and went from a dubious penalty minutes later, before myriad carries resulted in another penalty for the Welsh side for a Connacht offside.
Connacht held strong following the resulting lineout, and Aki’s successful jackal turnover rounded off an excellent defensive set for the westerners.
As the game succumbed to a lull, Connacht’s desire to scrap for possession became apparent. This was epitomised by Caolin Blade’s turnover in the 55th minute.
If Connacht’s attack was fluid in the first half, their second half display was anything but – hindered by a raft of substitutions. However, they did start to dominate possession.
Substitute Matthew Devine’s ingenuity, balance and perseverance paved the way for try number four. His offload gave Forde an uninhibited route to the tryline – as the scrum-half continued his good form from the Emerging Ireland tour. Forde also added the extras.
Taine Basham scored a deserved consolation try for the Dragons in the 78th minute, displaying powerful ball-carrying ability.
However, Connacht had time for a finishing flourish, and Devine capped off a wonderful individual cameo with an intercept try as the clock ticked into the red.
Connacht are now fifth in the URC table, and will next host the Vodacom Bulls on 30 November at 5.30pm.
Connacht: Piers O’Conor, Shayne Bolton, Cathal Forde, Bundee Aki, Santiago Cordero, Jack Carty, Caolin Blade, Paul Boyle, Sean O’Brien, Cian Prendergast (captain), Niall Murray, Joe Joyce, Finlay Bealham, Dylan Tierney-Martin, Peter Dooley.
Replacements: Eoin de Buitléar, Denis Buckley, Jack Aungier, Darragh Murray, Sean Jansen, Matthew Devine, Josh Ioane, Hugh Gavin.
Dragons: Cai Evans, Rio Dyer, Joe Westwood, Aneurin Owen, Ewan Rosser, Angus O’Brien Dane Blacker, Aaron Wainwright, Harri Keddie, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Matthew Screech, Ben Carter (captain), Chris Coleman, Oli Burrows, Cameron Jones.
Replacements: Brodie Coghlan, Aki Seiuli, Luke Yendle, Steve Cummins, Taine Basham, Rhodri Williams, Lloyd Evans, Harry Wilson.
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy).
