Begles made to pay the penalty

Where else but in an Irish pub in France would Connacht celebrate a most satisfying European Conference victory over Begles-Bordeaux on a Saturday evening.

The spontaneous applause that greeted the Connacht team at the Connemara was in marked contrast to the intimidating response from the several thousand Bordeaux supporters who had witnessed the unexpected. Connacht had beaten their beloved Begles side at the Stade Andre Moga and they did not like it one bit, subjecting the team to jeers and boos as they left the pitch in what should have been a glorious moment.

The Begles Club president's response was that it was only a game, but for Connacht it was much more. It was another magnificent leap along the learning curve on which coach Warren Gatland has set this squad.

"We may still be a long way from being a very good side but this was a great result not only for us but for Irish rugby. A month ago anyone who suggested we would win two of these three Conference matches would have been laughed off the pitch", Gatland said.

"The victory over Northampton was a turning point. It gave the team the confidence to know that if they give it their all for 80 minutes, then only a team that plays well will beat us. The victory also came after a successful week training at which the players were training every bit as good as I have seen the All Blacks".

During those sessions Gatland concentrated on improving numbers to rucks and that intensity was evident against Begles - earning Connacht five successful penalties after catching the French offside.

As expected Begles were the bigger pack and tried to impose themselves where they did give Connacht trouble in the scrums. But that's where their domination ended . Outside the pack led by international second row, Olivier Brouzet, the Begles side had few options and it was Connacht who played 15-man rugby, varying the game plan to good effect. Both outhalfs were on target for three penalties each in a first half dominated by the French side. Begles best scoring chance came after half an hour with a succession of five-yard scrums, but Connacht mustered all the strength to repel the assault.

Out-half Eric Elwood stretched the lead with two penalties early in the second half and as the Begles side became frustrated they conceded territory and possession with needless penalties. In contrast Connacht maintained their composure and their defence was an outstanding feature of the game, where Shane McEntee, Nicky Barry and Mervyn Murphy excelled. Although curtailed by the French pack, Mark McConnell, Graham Heislip and Junior Charlie won worthy lineout ball while the half-backs, Conor McGuinness and Elwood coped well considering the pressure.

Twenty minutes into the second half, having conceded just one kickable penalty which Frenchman Vincent Etcheto missed the big question was whether Connacht could hold on. They did so in a bruising encounter as the penalty count against Begles mounted up, culminating in replacement prop Olivier Sourgens being sent off just minutes before the whistle.