Connacht firmly in the driving seat

CHALLENGE CUP/Worcester 21 Connacht 26:CONNACHT HAVE reeled in the years and rediscovered their European magic. In seeing off pool favourites Worcester at Sixways, they have consolidated their lead at the top of Pool Two, enhancing their ambitions for a qualification berth.

Not since a famous home and away double over Northampton in 1997 have Connacht recorded an away victory over an English Premiership side – the year in which the Irish province topped the pool for the only time in its history of the Amlin Challenge Cup.

“It’s way up there,” says coach Michael Bradley, “It’s important to put markers down. As far as I am concerned it’s history in terms of my involvement with Connacht.”

Now Bradley’s men will need to repeat that feat next Friday in the rematch at the Sportsground. The hard work has been done away from home in seeing off both Worcester and Montpellier, but Bradley is aware there are potential banana skins still to come.

While the Warriors’ Mike Ruddock admits his side’s European campaign is all but over, requiring a “change of focus to the Guinness Premiership”, and the introduction of some young blood on Friday, Montpellier remain a threat when they sides meet in Galway in the New Year.

“It’s a massive opportunity for us,” says Bradley. “The lads were delighted with the win, but they know this week is the second part of the exercise. . . . If we win our two home matches, and we should certainly beat Madrid away, we could be a top qualifier.”

Connacht, in front of 6,662 spectators, cast off their Magners League shackles and fronted up to a Worcester pack that recently has held the Premiership’s top two sides to draws. The Warriors backrow edged the contest in the opening 20 minutes, but when impressive debutant George Naoupu, John Muldoon, and Ray Ofisa got up to speed, aided and abetted by locks Bernie Upton and Mike McCarthy, Connacht came right back into the contest, defended with gusto, and took their opportunities.

An intercept try from Ian Keatley on 20 minutes turned the opening half tide after dominant Worcester had taken a 10-3 lead after both outhalves had exchanged early penalties. The tactical kicking of former Wallaby Chris Latham put Connacht under pressure in that opening quarter.

It eventually led to a 13th-minute try from Tom Wood following a mix-up in Connacht calls, but Worcester overplayed that card and Connacht’s back three gave them little change thereafter.

Willie Walker kept Warriors in front, converting one of two penalties before Niva Ta’uaso, interchanged with Gavin Duffy to send Fionn Carr racing clear from halfway for a 29th-minute try. Keatley, who missed both conversions, added a 39th minute penalty for a 16-13 half-time lead before Walker replied soon after the restart.

Connacht’s harrying frustrated the home side that lost its controlling influence. When Keatley kicked within metres of the Warriors line, Seán Cronin grabbed the overcooked line-out and charged through, with Keatley adding the extras for a 23–16 lead.

But then the Warriors took a quick tap penalty and the overlap saw Walker touch down after 66 minutes. The missed conversion set up a nail-biting finish. When Connacht won a penalty from their scrum 25 metres in front of the posts, it was a crowning moment for the pack. Keatley struck the penalty with aplomb to put the finishing touches to a performance Connacht have often threatened and now delivered.

WORCESTER WARRIORS: C Latham; C Pennell, A Grove, D Rasmussen, M Benjamin; W Walker, J Arr; A Black, C Fortey, T Taumoepeau; G Rawlinson, C Gillies; T Wood, P Sanderson, K Horstmann. Replacements: O Sourgens for Taumoepeau (HT), G Kitchener for Rawlinson and A Lutui for Fortey (51), M Jones for C Pennell (56), C MacRae for Rasmussen (71), J Collins for Sanderson (73).

CONNACHT: G Duffy; L Bibo, N Ta’auso, A Wynne, F Carr; I Keatley, F Murphy; B Wilkinson, S Cronin, R Morris; M McCarthy, B Upton; J Muldoon (capt), R Ofisa, G Naoupu. Replacements: J Hagan for Morris, M McComish for Naoupu, M Swift for Ofisa (all 70m); T Nathan for Bibo (71).

Referee: J Garces (France).