Connacht 22
Bordeaux 10
Murray Kinsella reports from the Sportsground
IT WASN’T TOO pretty on a wet and dull afternoon in Galway, but Connacht’s Challenge Cup campaign is up and running with a win over Bordeaux.
Connacht celebrate Godwin’s first try. Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO
The Top 14 side sent a weakened selection to Galway, while Connacht also mixed up their starting team, with the Irish province deservedly notching the four points as they scored three tries in the rain.
Kyle Godwin was man of the match with a two-try performance, while Ireland international Finlay Bealham added another and out-half Jack Carty kicked seven points off the tee.
The game never truly ignited, with the conditions meaning a high error count, but Connacht boss Andy Friend is likely to be satisfied to add another win to their record early on this season.
There was further positivity with debuts off the bench for two academy players in out-half Conor Fitzgerald – young brother of Munster fullback Stephen – and versatile back Colm de Buitléar, the Connemara man who started playing with An Ghaeltacht Rugbaí. Lock Joe Maksymiw – a summer signing from Leicester – also debuted.
While the Guinness Pro14 is clearly the priority for Connacht this season, they will travel to Sale Sharks next Saturday with intent to continue their solid start in Europe.
With the earlier heavy rain easing a little in time for kick-off, Connacht started much the brighter and built towards a deserved 14th-minute try through Australian back Godwin, best known as a centre but on the left wing for this game.
Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO
Loosehead prop Peter McCabe – an impressive presence until he was forced off with a head injury in the 36th minute – cut through the Bordeaux defence off an intelligent flat pass by out-half Carty, only to be stopped metres short of the tryline.
Godwin was on hand to scoop the ball up and drive over to the left of the ruck from close-range, however, allowing Carty to convert for 7-0.
Soon after a strong scrum penalty for the Connacht pack, Carty added a further three points off the tee – punishing Bordeaux for a high tackle on centre Eoin Griffin.
The French side finally managed to get some territory in the closing 10 minutes of the first half, with Connacht initially repelling them with their superbly-organised and hard-hitting defence.
But a wild pass from the otherwise-excellent Quinn Roux as he acted as a makeshift scrum-half after a Blade carry put Connacht under pressure in their own 22 and Thierry Paiva earned a turnover penalty, allowing Lucas Meret to kick three points for a 10-3 half-time scoreline.
Jack Carty carries for Connacht. Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO
A big turnover from replacement loosehead Conán O’Donnell got Connacht rolling in the second half and Godwin scored his second try in the 47th minute.
Carty looped behind Bundee Aki in midfield on a clever set-piece play inside the Bordeaux 22 but his pass to Colby Fainga’a went to ground just before Godwin stooped to pick it and slide over the tryline in the same fluid movement.
Referee Mike Adamson initially indicated a knock-on but a brief review with his assistant – and a replay on the big screen in the corner – convinced him that the score was legit and Carty’s conversion made it 17-3.
Connacht should have pushed on from there but a yellow card for Robin Copeland for looking to kill the ball as Bordeaux pressured their tryline was swiftly followed by replacement back row Afa Amosa battering through Carty and Fainga’a for a try converted by Meret.