Summary

  • Champions Cup Pool 1: FT: Connacht 24-10 Bristol

  • Bolton, Aungier, Blade and Smith tries for Connacht

  • Bristol lock Josh Caulfield red-carded for stamp on 13 minutes

  • Bristol awarded late penalty try

  • Connacht led 17-3 at half-time

  • Challenge Cup: FT Gloucester 35-5 Castres

Live Reporting

Glenn Kelly

  1. Close!

    Connacht 17-3 Bristol

    This game is end-to-end!

    Now it's Bristol who come within inches of grabbing a try.

    Harry Randall sprints to the line before the impressive David Hawkshaw makes a fantastic last-gasp tackle.

    The ball goes to Kalaveti Ravouvou but his side are penalised for a side entry. Lucky escape for the western province.

  2. Connacht 17-3 Bristol

    During the explosion of points we have lost JJ Hanrahan to injury.

    On comes the experienced Jack Carty.

  3. Bolton sprints in for opener

    Connacht 17-3 Bristol

    Shayne Bolton on his way to score Connacht's first try tonightInpho

    Shayne Bolton on his way to score Connacht's first try tonight

  4. try

    Try Connacht 17-3 Bristol

    Caolin Blade (34 mins)

    Connacht score again!

    Another sloppy penalty given away by Bristol in their own 22 and Connacht maul it up, once again dominating the visiting pack.

    As the maul is pulled down, Caolin Blade spots the ball at the back and snatches it before jinking over from five metres throwing a dummy on the way.

    The conversion is missed.

  5. Penalty Connacht 12-3 Bristol

    AJ MacGinty (32 mins)

    AJ MacGinty with a penalty in front of the posts for an offside infringement, they're off and running as Kyle Sinckler returns from the bin.

  6. Connacht 12-0 Bristol

    Amazing to see Virimi Vakatawa back on a rugby field.

    After being refused a rugby license to play in France after an underlying heart condition was detected, Pat Lam picked him up for Bristol and now fans around the world hope he can get back to his scintillating best.

  7. Connacht 12-0 Bristol

    Bristol make only their second jaunt into the Connacht 22.

    They look threatening through AJ MacGinty, but Max Lahiff fumbles and it's scrum to the home team.

  8. Connacht 12-0 Bristol

    Bundee Aki using Max Malins as a speed-bump as he goes on a ferocious run.

    Malins wearing some fetching leggings. Some may say he looks like a pitch invader at times, watch out for the men in fluorescent jackets coming for him...

  9. The long walk

    Connacht 12-0 Bristol

    Bristol lock Josh Caulfield walks off after being red-cared early in the Galway gameGetty Images

    Bristol lock Josh Caulfield walks off after being red-cared early in the Galway game

  10. Sin-bin - Connacht 12-0 Bristol

    Kyle Sinckler (22 mins)

    Kyle Sinckler goes to the bin for an infringement in the build-up to Augier's try.

    Bristol down to 13 now and Connacht smell blood.

  11. try

    Try Connacht 12-0 Bristol

    Jack Aungier (20 mins)

    A real dominating score from the home side.

    Cian Prendergast with a break on the left. The ball is recycled towards the centre of the pitch and a number of phases gets them within touching distance.

    Eventually it's substitute Jack Aungier who thrusts over with the help of Jarrad Butler, the crowd go wild.

    JJ Hanrahan makes no mistake from right in front

  12. Connacht 5-0 Bristol

    Some big carries from the Irish Province now.

    The sending off has really spurred them on.

    A lineout five-metres out from the Bristol line almost gives Shayne Bolton a second try after some smart forward play, but the winger is bundled into touch.

  13. Red card - Connacht 5-0 Bristol

    Josh Caulfield (13 mins)

    And it's a red for Bristol lock Josh Caulfield.

    Replays show a nasty looking foot to the face of Finlay Bealham as the Connacht man was lying on the deck.

    Major advantage to Connacht now.

  14. OUCH!

    Connacht 0-0 Bristol

    Finlay Bealham down getting treatment after a nasty stamp

  15. Connacht 0-0 Bristol

    First big scrum test now for the sides. Connacht to feed.

    And they get the penalty and the chance to clear their lines.

    The Bears had a nightmare in the scrum last week against the Bulls and need to improve fast.

  16. try

    Try Connacht 5-0 Bristol

    Shayne Bolton (8 mins)

    Now that is ruthless.

    A break down field from David Hawkshaw, who goes left to Sevens-star Andrew Smith, who in turn plays a smart one-handed offload to Shayne Bolton on the wing who scampers over from 20 metres.

    JJ Hanrahan can't claim the extras.

  17. Connacht 0-0 Bristol

    It's still Bristol with the urgency with ball in had, but Connacht's Jarrad Butler comes away with a turnover ball running it back ard

  18. Connacht 0-0 Bristol

    The English side running hard lines straight away, chasing those tries. Janse Van Rensburg with a hard carry five-yards from the Irish province's line but he is pinged for holding on, penalty Connacht.

  19. Kick-off

    Connacht 0-0 Bristol

    AJ MacGinty gets us underway at Dexcom Stadium.

    A defeat for either side will likely end their interest in Europe for another year. So who will be playing Euro rugby come spring?

  20. Connacht v Bristol (20:00 BST)

    The sides take the field. Bristol in white, Connacht in black, if only the permutations were so simple

    Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is in the audience this evening hoping for a Connacht victory no doubt.