Challenge Cup: Connacht In Pole Position

Connacht remain in pole position in European Challenge Cup Pool Five after picking up their sixth ever win on French soil on Friday – a 19-16 defeat of hosts Montpellier.

Paul Warwick: Connacht’s 14-point hero

Connacht remain in pole position in European Challenge Cup Pool Five after picking up their sixth ever win on French soil on Friday – a 19-16 defeat of hosts Montpellier.

EUROPEAN CHALLENGE CUP: POOL 5: Friday, October 28

Montpellier 16 Connacht 19, Stade Sabathe (Att: 4,534)

Scorers: Montpellier: Try: Samuel Nouchi; Con: David Aucagne; Pens: Regis Lespinas 2, Aucagne

Connacht: Try: Ted Robinson; Con: Paul Warwick; Pens: Warwick 3; Drop: Warwick

Warwick, watched by his countrymen of the Australian national squad, played a key role as Michael Bradley’s side continue to lead Pool Five on points difference from chief rivals Worcester Warriors.

Connacht have back-to-back clashes with Anthony Eddy’s men next month.

On Friday, the westerners won a tense duel 19-16 thanks to the boot of former Australian Sevens skipper Warwick. He landed three penalties, a drop goal and the conversion of winger Ted Robinson’s second-half try.

The first half was a poor advertisement for rugby, with neither side showing the flair and talent required to score a try. Warwick banged over a penalty goal either side of his 22nd-minute yellow card for a late tackle, but he was cancelled out by two goals from opposite number Regis Lespinas – a former French Under-21 international.

Robinson dotted down early in the second half, and Connacht defended well against the home side, who scored their only try through lock Samuel Nouchi in injury-time.

MONTPELLIER: Frederic Benazech; Sebastien Logerot, Murphy Taele, Alessandro Stoica, Sebastien Kuzbik; Regis Lespinas, Julien Tomas; Julien Brugnaut, Joan Caudullo, Nicolas Descamps, Samuel Nouchi, Mamuka Gorgodze, Martin Durand, Vassili Bost, Jharay Russell.

Replacements used: Clement Baiocco for Descamps (half-time), Mickael Bert for Bost, Olivier Diomande for Caudullo, Aliinu’u Koko for Kuznik (all 49 mins), David Aucagne for Stoica (54), Sebastien Galtier for Durand (61), Sebastien Buada for Tomas (68).

CONNACHT: Matt Mostyn; Ted Robinson, John Heary, Darren Yapp, Conor McPhillips; Paul Warwick, Chris Keane; Ray Hogan, John Fogarty, Stephen Knoop, Christian Short, Andrew Farley (capt), John Muldoon, Matt Lacey, Colm Rigney.

Replacements used: Daniel Riordan for Hearty (49 mins), Joe Merrigan for Fogarty (78), Dan McFarland for Hogan, Conor O’Loughlin for Keane (both 80+6). Not used: Andrew Gallagher, David Gannon, Michael Swift.

Referee: David Changleng (Scotland); Sin Bin: Paul Warwick (Connacht) (22 mins), Mickael Bert (Montpellier) (58).