Connacht douse Dragons fire

Rugby:Connacht enjoyed a convincing 30-11 win over the Newport Gwent Dragons at the Sportsground. Eric Elwood’s side scored three tries through George Naoupu, Danie Poolman and a penalty try to provide a timely fillip as they head into European competition over the next two weekends.

There will be an element of frustration that they didn’t secure a bonus point have scored three tries by the 44th minute. The only other downside was an injury to Naoupu that saw him stretchered from the pitch.

Outhalf Dan Parks kicked a brace of early penalties to give them a 6-0 lead before scoring two tries in seven minutes, the first a penalty try and the second from number eight Naoupu. Parks kicked both conversions as the home side eased out to a 20-0 lead.

Dragon’s Tom Prydie posted a penalty either side of half-time to reduce the deficit to 20-6 but South African Poolman increased Connacht’s lead with their third try on 44 minutes. Parks added the conversion and also dropped a goal to push the Irish province out to a 30-6 lead. The Welsh side grabbed a late try from Jonathan Evans.

Meanwhile Scarlets and Wales wing George North travelled home with his team-mates despite being stretchered off with a neck injury in the defeat to Ulster at Ravenhill. North underwent scans in hospital but was allowed to travel. He will undergo further medical tests on Monday but must be a serious doubt for next weekend’s Heineken Cup match against Leinster at the RDS.