Connacht Rugby

Departing flanker Eoghan Masterson scored as Connacht closed out their season with a ragged 22-20 United Rugby Championship win over Zebre Parma at the ...

Indeed, Zebre finished the first half with a well-worked five-pointer from the pacy Pani, who handed off Tom Farrell to score. The hosts doubled their tally on the quarter-hour mark, Cian Prendergast beating a defender and laying off for lock Murray to go over in the left corner. Connacht’s Tom Daly broke through the middle in response and, with Zebre caught for numbers on the left, Marmion reached over from a sixth-minute ruck.

Connacht's Ultan Dillane celebrates after the game. Image: James Crombie/INPHO. Connacht 22. Zebre 20. Daire Walsh reports at the Sportsground. IT WAS FAR ...

Nocera made a big impact after replacing Eduardo Bello in the Zebre front-row and he powered over the Connacht line to offer his troops renewed hope with 13 minutes remaining. In the direct aftermath of this score, scrum-half Colm Reilly was the first Connacht player to be introduced off the bench. While Carty was wide of the mark off a tricky conversion attempt on the left-wing, Connacht had their tails up and subsequently doubled their lead in the 17th-minute. Carty finally opened his account from his third effort at goal and while there was still a lot of rugby left to play, Connacht already looked set for a comfortable victory. Connacht rode this late storm to make it nine wins from 18 in the inaugural URC, but it was a far from vintage display overall by Andy Friend’s charges. Along with replacements Ultan Dillane, Abraham Papali’I and Sammy Arnold, Masterson was making his final appearance for Connacht, but the visitors did their utmost to spoil the party for this quartet.

Connacht 22 Zebre 20. In a game of little consequence for both sides, Connacht signed off a disappointing URC season with an expected victory over Italian ...

A sweeping move, which began with Dylan Tierney-Martin in his first start, was finished by right wing John Porch to extend the lead to 22-8. A Gavin Thornbury lineout take and drive was finished by flanker Eoghan Masterson, the centurion celebrating his final match in a Connacht jersey, along with Ultan Dillane. Connacht had posted the first of their four tries after seven minutes in answer to Zebre’s fourth-minute penalty.

Connacht held on for a 22-20 bonus-point win over Zebre Parma in their final match of the season in Galway. Full report to follow.

Player of the match Indeed, Zebre finished the first half with a well-worked five-pointer from the pacy Pani, who handed off Tom Farrell to score. Connacht’s Tom Daly broke through the middle in response and, with Zebre caught for numbers on the left, Marmion reached over from a sixth-minute ruck.

Departing flanker Eoghan Masterson scored as Connacht closed out their season with a ragged 22-20 United Rugby Championship win over Zebre.

Indeed, Zebre finished the first half with a well-worked five-pointer from the pacy Pani, who handed off Tom Farrell to score. The hosts doubled their tally on the quarter-hour mark, Cian Prendergast beating a defender and laying off for lock Murray to go over in the left corner. Connacht’s Tom Daly broke through the middle in response and, with Zebre caught for numbers on the left, Marmion reached over from a sixth-minute ruck.