European Rugby Challenge Cup: Perpignan 21-36 Connacht

Sean O'Brien celebrates his second Connacht try

Connacht continued their pursuit of Sale in the European Challenge Cup as Sean O'Brien's double helped them to a bonus-point 36-21 win at Perpignan.

Dave Heffernan, Matt Healy and Cian Kelleher also scored as Connacht moved to within two points of Sale in Pool Three.

Perpignan finished the game with 14 men following a red card for prop Adrea Cocagi.

The Top 14 strugglers are without a win in Europe or the league this season.

They scored tries through Julien Farnoux, Manu Leiataua and Tima Fainga'anuku.

Farnoux's try after just eight minutes gave the home side hope of ending their miserable start to the season but ex-Ulster fly-half Paddy Jackson had a rare off night from the kicking tee as he missed the first of his three conversion attempts.

Academy fly-half Conor Fitzgerald missed an early penalty for the Connacht but scores by O'Brien and Heffernan pushed them into the lead.

The home side were left counting their indiscipline as the Irish province took advantage of a yellow card for Fainga'anuku to set-up O'Brien for his second try and a 14-point half-time lead.

Perpignan responded after the break as Leiataua and Fainga'anuku both crossed in a six-minute spell to close within a point before Cocagi's dismissal for a dangerous 57th-minute tackle handed the initiative back to the visitors.

Connacht exploited their numerical advantage as Healy and Kelleher both scored to clinch their fifth consecutive win.

"I'm really proud of them. they fought hard, it wasn't going to be easy out there tonight but we did well to get the win and the five points," said Connacht head coach Andy Friend.

"We've been playing some good rugby, we're getting the rewards now and it's nice to come to France and get that win."

Perpignan: Farnoux; Sau, Cocagi, Taumoepeau, Fainga'anukua; Jackson, Ecochard (capt); Walcker, Leiataua, Boutemmani, Labouteley, Vivalda, Eru, Reynaud, Chateau.

Replacements: Deligny, Tougne, Lemaire, van Heerden, Brazo, Deghmache, Selponi, Bousquet.

Sin bin: T Fainga'anuku (30)

Red card: A Cocagi (57)

Connacht: Leader; Kelleher, Joyce, Horwitz, Healy; Fitzgerald, Mitchell; McCabe, Heffernan (capt), Robertson-McCoy, Cannon, Thornbury, O'Brien, Connolly, Copeland.

Replacements: McCartney, Burke, Carey, Maksymiw, Masterson, Blade, Carty, Godwin.