Connacht

29 - 12

Full Time

Sharks

Connacht vs Sharks

Events

Commentary

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Live Updates

It's all over! The referee Sam Grove-White has blown their whistle to end the game.

80'

A gap opened in the defence and Chay Mullins took full advantage.

74'

A gap opened in the defence and Cathal Forde took full advantage.

70'

Connacht Rugby make a substitution with Colm Reilly coming on.

69'

Connacht Rugby make a substitution with Matthew Devine coming off.

69'

Connacht Rugby make a substitution with John Devine coming on.

69'

Connacht Rugby make a substitution with Sam Gilbert coming off.

69'

Penalty Goal

The Connacht Rugby supporters go wild as Sam Gilbert successfully kicks the penalty goal.

69'

Sharks make a substitution with Ceano Everson coming on.

69'

Sharks make a substitution with Ross Braude coming off.

69'

Sharks make a substitution with Siya Masuku coming on.

65'

Sharks make a substitution with Hakeem Kunene coming off.

65'

Sharks sub Ethan Bester comes onto the field.

63'

Eduan Swart departs for Sharks.

63'

Connacht Rugby sub Niall Murray comes onto the field.

63'

Joe Joyce departs for Connacht Rugby.

63'

Conversion

The Connacht Rugby supporters go wild as Sam Gilbert successfully kicks the conversion.

63'

Try

A stunning solo try from Cathal Forde

62'

The defensive line has been broken as Cathal Forde goes through the gap.

62'

Spellbinding play by Paul Boyle is finished off with a try.

62'

Jean Smith can consider themself unlucky as they see the ball hit the left upright and bounce away.

59'

Paul Boyle comes on for Connacht Rugby.

59'

Josh Murphy leaves the field.

59'

What a run here by Sam Gilbert as they get over the gainline!

56'

Dylan Tierney-Martin comes on for Connacht Rugby.

56'

Dave Heffernan leaves the field.

56'

Vincent Tshituka comes on for Sharks.

56'

Jannes Potgieter leaves the field.

56'

Corne Rahl comes on for Sharks.

56'

Eben Etzebeth leaves the field.

56'

Mawande Mdanda comes on for Sharks.

55'

Vincent Koch leaves the field.

55'

Lee-Marvin Mazibuko comes on for Sharks.

55'

Ox Nche leaves the field.

55'

Sam Gilbert has hooked the conversion to the right of the posts.

55'

Try

Nothing was going to stop Shamus Hurley-Langton from scoring as they record the try for Connacht Rugby.

54'

Finlay Bealham comes on.

53'

Sam Illo comes off.

53'

Peter Dooley comes on.

53'

Billy Bohan comes off.

53'

What a run here by Matthew Devine as they get over the gainline!

52'

Sharks decide to make a substitution, with Ethan Hooker getting some game time.

47'

Sharks decide to make a substitution, with Makazole Mapimpi being replaced.

47'

Conversion

Sam Gilbert adds the two points for Connacht Rugby.

47'

Try

The defence are desperately trying to hold out here but it was to no avail as Cathal Forde dots the ball down from close range.

46'

Spellbinding play by Matthew Devine is finished off with a try.

46'

Shane Jennings makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

44'

The second half kicks off.

40'

The half-time whistle blows and both teams head for the dressing rooms.

40'

Penalty Goal

The Sharks supporters go wild as Jean Smith successfully kicks the penalty goal.

33'

Penalty Goal

The Sharks supporters go wild as Jean Smith successfully kicks the penalty goal.

31'

Trouble here as Jean Smith breaches the defence.

27'

Conversion

Sam Gilbert makes no mistake with that conversion attempt.

22'

Try

A wonderful passing move by Connacht Rugby is finished off by Chay Mullins

21'

That's a great try assist by Shamus Hurley-Langton.

21'

This is dangerous for the defence as Shamus Hurley-Langton bursts through to advance the Connacht Rugby attack.

21'

This is dangerous for the defence as Dave Heffernan bursts through to advance the Connacht Rugby attack.

21'

Penalty Goal

Jean Smith adds the points for Sharks.

20'

Connacht Rugby make a substitution with Sean Naughton coming on.

17'

Connacht Rugby make a substitution with Josh Ioane coming off.

17'

A gap opened in the defence and Edwill van der Merwe took full advantage.

10'

Penalty Goal

Jean Smith kicks the penalty.

We are underway as the referee Sam Grove-White blows their whistle.

Match Details

  
 Connacht v Sharks 
  
 Round of 16 
  
 Fri 3rd April 2026, 12:00pm PDT 
  
 Dexcom Stadium 
  
 Flo Rugby 
  
 Sam Grove-White

Points Flow Chart

Connacht win +17

Time in lead

Mins in lead

54%

% Of Game In Lead

41%

44%

Possession Last 10 min

56%

Points Last 10 min

Key Events

Full Time

Gilbert

29 - 12

69'

Gilbert

26 - 12

63'

Forde

24 - 12

62'

Hurley-Langton

19 - 12

54'

Gilbert

14 - 12

47'

Forde

12 - 12

46'

Half Time

Smith

33'

7 - 12

Smith

31'

7 - 9

Gilbert

7 - 6

22'

Mullins

5 - 6

21'

Smith

20'

0 - 6

Smith

0 - 3

Start

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored

4.8

Entries

Avg. Points Scored

0.7

Entries

Attack Profile

Connacht

Sharks

More Less

Defence Profile

Connacht

Sharks

More Less

Ruck Speed

0-3 secs

36%

46%

3-6 secs

33%

34%

6+ secs

31%

20%

Rucks Won

118

Last 5 Penalties

61'

64'

67'

71'

74'

Connacht

Sharks

Connacht vs Sharks Kick Off Times & TV Channel

Connacht face off against Sharks in Challenge Cup Round of 16 on Fri 3rd April 2026 at Dexcom Stadium. Kick-off in the UK is scheduled for 20:00 and is broadcast on Premier Sports. In South Africa it’s at 21:00 SAST on SuperSport, 08:00 NZST in New Zealand, 06:00 AEST in Australia and 12:00 EST on Flo Rugby in the US.

Connacht won the last encounter but Connacht are in the best form of their last 5 games.

Connacht vs Sharks Squads

The official squads for Connacht vs Sharks will become available around 24- 48 hours before kick-off. Teams can still make changes up to an hour before the match however.