Connacht Cruise To Bonus Point Victory

Connacht launched their European Challenge Cup bid with a big 48-12 bonus point victory over a weakened La Rochelle side in Galway this evening.

Half-backs Jack Carty and Kieran Marmion both touched down inside the opening nine minutes as Pat Lam’s men burst of the traps at the Sportsground.

Wearing their new navy European kit, the westerners registered their bonus point before half-time as Robbie Henshaw and lively loosehead prop Ronan Loughney crossed for converted tries.

Apart from one missed conversion, centre Craig Ronaldson was unerring from the kicking tee as he contributed nine points during a one-sided first half.

La Rochelle began the second period in good stead, putting winger Damien Cler over for an unconverted effort, before Henshaw completed his brace after good work from Ronaldson and Darragh Leader.

Wingers Danie Poolman and Matt Healy took the hosts’ try tally to seven before La Rochelle hit double figures, 11 minutes from the end, courtesy of a converted score from replacement Charles Bouldoire.

Connacht hammered home their advantage almost immediately, pressing from an early lineout and scrum before the ball was moved to out-half Carty who spotted a gap to go over.

Ronaldson converted and Connacht went 12-0 clear thanks to Marmion’s ninth-minute effort, the scrum half finishing with aplomb following a good break from the in-form Leader.

The wind played its part as Ronaldson’s conversion attempt fell wide, but the former Lansdowne ace was soon back on target with a penalty from in front of the posts.

La Rochelle number 10 Hamish Gard blundered as his penalty kick to the corner went dead and Connacht, with their scrum in excellent form, were well worth their early 15-point advantage.

A break from prop Nathan White was called back for a forward pass, following a turnover at a scrum. Connacht’s set piece dominance then led to La Rochelle tighthead Vincent Pelo, who was comprehensively outscrummaged by Loughney, earning a yellow card.

The province mauled forward from the resulting Aly Muldowney-claimed lineout and the platform was created for centre Henshaw to burst onto a short pass and touch down for Ronaldson (pictured below) to convert.

Fit-again hooker Jason Harris-Wright threw consistently well on his seasonal debut and from another well-won lineout, Connacht built for their bonus point. Ronaldson was brought down short of the line but Loughney proved unstoppable from a couple of metres out on the right.

La Rochelle hit back on the resumption with an early try in the corner from Cler, with Jules Lebail’s conversion attempt coming back off the woodwork.

That score was swiftly cancelled out as a counter attack saw advancing full-back Leader draw a defender and his well-timed pass released Henshaw (pictured below) to go over unopposed behind the posts.

Ronaldson tapped over the simple conversion before being called ashore, with David McSharry coming on to win his 50th Connacht cap.

A neat interchange between Healy and Poolman (pictured below) saw the latter power over for try number six, Healy earning the plaudits for a strong burst and good link-up for the assist. Marmion’s replacement Ian Porter missed the touchline conversion.

The hard-working Healy deservedly got on the scoresheet himself in the 64th minute, finishing an attack that had started with his own lung-bursting run on the left. Porter nailed the right-sided conversion.

Lam had emptied the bench by that stage, giving his full squad – including returning back rower Andrew Browne – a chance to stake a claim for a starting spot away to Exeter Chiefs in round 2 next Saturday.

Meanwhile, La Rochelle’s persistence paid off when they conjured up a 69th minute consolation try, replacement Bouldoire dotting down after strong running from full-back Arthur Cestaro who was arguably the visitors’ best performer.

An eager Niyi Adeolokun knocked on a flat delivery from Henshaw as Connacht looked to pass the 50-point mark, while Henshaw did well in defence to keep out Charles Lagarde with the try count remaining 7-2 in the home side’s favour.