Stuart Lancaster bags perfect start to Connacht tenure

Connacht scored four tries as they comfortably saw off Benetton 26-15 to secure a bonus-point win at the Dexcom Stadium in Galway.

The Irish side – with new head coach Stuart Lancaster at the helm – went ahead in the eighth minute when Josh Ioane crashed over in the corner, with Cathal Forde converting, before Benetton had Tonga centre Malakai Fekitoa sent to the sin bin for a high challenge.

Jacob Umaga got the Italians on the board with a penalty in the 16th minute, but Sean Naughton – on his first start in senior colours – soon went over after a clever dummy from Ioane to restore Connacht’s advantage.

Chay Mullins then spent the closing stages of the first half in the sin bin, with Benetton seeing a try from Onisi Ratave in the left corner after a crossfield move chalked off for the winger’s foot being in touch as Connacht went into the break 12-3 ahead.

Benetton – with attack coach Pete Wilkins taking on his former club, having left the head role at the Irish province during April – made a fast start to the second half as Louis Lynagh crashed over for a swift try, but back row Michele Lamaro was then shown a yellow card.

Fixture

United Rugby Championship

Connacht

26 - 15

Full-time

Benetton

All Stats and Data

Connacht took full advantage as Dylan Tierney-Martin added another try, diving under the posts in the 46th minute, with Forde again adding the extras.

With seven minutes left, Sean Jansen grabbed Connacht’s fourth try to secure a bonus point, Forde making another successful conversion, before Alessandro Garbisi scored a late consolation for the Italians in added time.