Connacht

Image source, Inpho

Challenge Cup pool 1

Connacht (27) 52

Tries: B Murphy 3, Jansen, Bealham, J Murphy, Aungier, Tierney-Martin, Hurley-Langton Pen: Ioane Cons: Ioane 2

Lyon (10) 24

Tries: Matavesi, Regard, Marchand Pen: Page-Relo Cons: Page-Relo, Meliande 2

Ben Murphy scored a hat-trick as Connacht hammered Lyon in the Challenge Cup to secure top spot in pool 1 with a game to spare.

Scrum-half Murphy, who signed a contract extension earlier this week, bagged two tries before half-time with Sean Jansen and Finlay Bealham scores sealing the bonus point before the break.

Murphy, who faced his father and brother in Connacht's defeat by Ulster over the festive period, has now scored seven tries in 10 games since joining the Westerners from Leinster last summer.

Lyon's Fijian hooker Sam Matavesi crossed in the first half but Connacht pulled further clear early in the second half with Josh Murphy scoring before his namesake completed his treble.

Thibaut Regard and Guillaume Marchand were also on target for the Top 14 side in the second half but Jack Aungier, Dylan Tierney-Martin and Shamus Hurley-Langton ensured a Connacht rout in Galway.

It was a much-needed boost for Connacht in their first outing since Ireland wing Mack Hansen's three-match ban for criticising match officials in last month's United Rugby Championship loss to Leinster.

Connacht, who have taken a maximum 15 points in this season's competition, travel to Cardiff in the final round of pool games on Friday (20:00 GMT) knowing that a home tie in the last-16 is already sealed.

Connacht: S Cordero; C Mullins, P O'Conor, B Aki, S Jennings; J Ioane, B Murphy; P Dooley, D Heffernan, F Bealham; O Dowling, J Joyce; C Prendergast (capt), S Hurley-Langton, S Jansen.

Replacements: Duggan, Tierney-Martin, Aungier, J Murphy, P Boyle, C Forde, D Hawkshaw, C Blade.

Lyon: A Tchaptchet; S Radradra, J Maraku, T Regard, V Rattez; F Smith, M Page-Relo; H Kaabeche, S Matavesi, I Aptsiauri; F Lambey (capt), T Lavanini; S Blanc-Mappaz, M Okuya, M Gouzou.

Replacements: Ainsley, Marchand, Pakihivatau, Geraci, PS Pacheco, Parisien, Meliande, Cassang.

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Ireland Sevens Olympian Chay Mullins replaces the suspended wing Mack Hansen in a much-changed Connacht side to face Lyon in the European Challenge Cup in Galway on Saturday.

Mullins is among four changes in personnel in the backs with coach Pete Wilkins also making positional switches from the home defeat by Ulster in the United Rugby Championship.

Josh Ioane and Ben Murphy take over from Jack Carty and Caolin Blade in the half-backs with Shane Jennings drafted in at wing.

Argentina's Santiago Cordero switches from wing to full-back with Piers O'Connor moving to centre alongside Bundee Aki as Cathal Forde drops to a replacements bench which includes Blade.

Ireland prop Finlay Bealham and flankers Cian Prendergast and Shamus Hurley-Langton are the only forwards retained from the Ulster defeat.

Peter Dooley and Dave Heffernan are drafted into the front row with Oisin Dowling and Joe Joyce forming a new lock partnership and Sean Jansen taking over from Paul Boyle at number eight.

Boyle, hooker Dylan Tierney-Martin and second row Josh Murphy drop to the bench with Denis Buckley and Niall Murray not named in the matchday squad after starting against Ulster.

The contest is a battle between the top two sides in Pool 1 with Connacht leading the table by one point after opening bonus-point wins over Zebre and Perpignan.

Connacht: Cordero; Mullins, O'Conor, Aki, Jennings; Ioane, Murphy; Dooley, Heffernan, Bealham; Dowling, Joyce; Prendergast (capt), Hurley-Langton, Jansen

Replacements: Tierney-Martin, Duggan, Aungier, Murphy, Boyle, Blade, Forde, Hawkshaw

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Ireland wing Mack Hansen will face a disciplinary hearing on Wednesday following critical comments he made about the officiating in Connacht games after last month's defeat by Leinster.

Hansen said the refereeing of his side's United Rugby Championship (URC) 20-12 loss at Aviva Stadium on 21 December made it feel like they were playing against "16 men".

Connacht coach Pete Wilkins was asked if he agreed with the Ireland wing's assertion before the 26-year-old interjected to add: "Can I say something real quick about the situation?

"Like, I feel like we get this every week. We never get any calls, ever. I've been feeling this for years now."

Hansen, who has scored 13 tries in 27 Ireland appearances, will appear before a URC disciplinary committee.

URC disciplinary guide, law 3.3.13, states foul play can include statements that are "unsporting and/or insulting".

Connacht are next in action against Lyon in the European Challenge Cup on Friday, while Hansen is expected to be part of Ireland's Six Nations squad for a campaign that begins against England on 1 February.

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Stuart McCloskey is set for a spell on the sidelines after sustaining a "significant hamstring injury" in Ulster's United Rugby Championship loss to Munster.

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy said the Ireland international will miss "quite a large number of weeks".

McCloskey will hope to regain fitness in time for the start of Ireland's Six Nations title defence at home to England on 1 February.

Ulster wing Zac Ward is a doubt for Saturday's interpro against Connacht after picking up an ankle knock in the Munster game.

While Stewart Moore remains out, there was some good news for Murphy as the province's long injury list appears to be easing.

Ben Carson, Ethan McIlroy, Jake Flannery and Nathan Doak, as well as Irish internationals Cormac Izuchukwu, Nick Timoney and Iain Henderson have all resumed team training following their recent injuries.

Murphy's side have lost their past five games and have just three wins from their 10 fixtures this season.

They sit 11th in the URC table ahead of the Connacht game in Galway as they seek a first win since October.

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Connacht will play at Mayo GAA's McHale Park for the first time in the professional era when they take on derby rivals Munster in March.

The historic occasion in Castlebar will see the teams compete in an interprovincial United Rugby Championship encounter on Saturday, 29 March.

"All the players were absolutely delighted when told the news - the opportunity to play in front of a massive home crowd, in the heart of the province, is something to really look forward to," said Connacht club captain Cian Prendergast.

"Our supporters are amongst the best there are, and we know the passion that the people of Mayo, and Connacht more widely, show every time they support their teams, whatever the code or colour of the jersey."

Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins is also looking forward to seeing his team play at McHale Park.

"We're all incredibly excited by today's news - we are proud to represent the whole province of Connacht, and we look forward to sharing this great occasion with our existing supporters and getting out to meet many more new supporters from all across the province."

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Ireland's Bundee Aki, Mack Hansen and Finlay Bealham have returned to the Connacht line-up for Saturday's United Rugby Championship trip to Leinster (17:30 GMT).

The international trio were rested for Connacht's Challenge Cup games after their exertions during Ireland's Autumn Nations Series.

They will face a much-changed Leinster team with only All Blacks star Jordie Barrett and Jimmy O'Brien retained from last week's Investec Champions Cup win over Clermont.

Barrett, making his first URC appearance, switches from full-back to inside centre while O'Brien moves from the wing to full-back.

With Sam Prendergast rested, Ross Byrne is recalled at fly-half while two-time World Cup winning Springbok second row RG Snyman makes his first start since October.

URC table-toppers Leinster have won all seven games this season while Connacht are eighth after three victories and four defeats, including a 33-12 reverse to Leo Cullen's side in October.

Leinster: J O'Brien; A Arenzana-King, C Tector, J Barrett, A Osborne; R Byrne, L McGrath; J Boyle, G McCarthy, R Slimani; D Mangan, RG Snyman; A Soroka, S Penny, J Conan (capt).

Replacements: L Barron, M Milne, C Healy, B Deeny, R Baird, J Gibson-Park, H Byrne, M Deegan.

Connacht: P O'Conor; M Hansen, C Forde, B Aki, S Jennings; J Ioane, B Murphy; D Buckley, D Heffernan, F Bealham; J Murphy, D Murray; C Prendergast (capt) S Hurley-Langton, P Boyle.

Replacements: D Tierney-Martin, J Duggan, J Aungier, O Dowling, S Jansen, C Blade, S Cordero, C Oliver.

Image source, Getty Images

Leinster second row James Ryan and Connacht centre Bundee Aki have signed contract extensions with the Irish Rugby Football Union [IRFU].

Aki's new deal will keep him with Connacht and Ireland until the summer of 2026, while Ryan has extended his contract until 2028.

New Zealand native Aki, 34, arrived in Galway in 2014 and made his Ireland debut against South Africa in 2017 upon the completion of a thee-year residency period.

He has won 60 caps and has made a 142 appearances for Connacht.

"I love playing rugby in Ireland and believe that this is the right environment for me to progress as a player," said Aki.

"I would like to thank the IRFU for their support and I'm excited for what the future holds in green in the years ahead."

IRFU performance director, David Humphreys feels Aki still "has a lot more to offer" in the coming years.

"Bundee has displayed a consistently high level of performance for club and country in recent years and we are delighted to extend his deal," he said.

"We believe that Bundee has a lot more to offer on the field and has a big role in helping to develop the next batch of exciting youngsters out west in Connacht and within the wider Ireland panel."

Ryan has been a key figure for Leinster and Ireland in recent seasons, winning 67 Test caps in addition to his 89 appearances for the Dublin-based club.

The 28-year-old, who has won three Six Nations titles, started three of Ireland's four Autumn Nations Series matches last month.

"Playing in ambitious set-ups is a big driver for me personally and I know how committed everyone in Irish Rugby is to work hard and achieve success," said Ryan.

"It is a privilege to play for my home province and my country and, with the talent coming through the Academy systems, I am excited about what the future holds in blue and green."

Humphreys added: "We believe that James' best years are ahead of him and look forward to watching him progress in the seasons to come."

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European Challenge Cup

Connacht: (17) 43

Tries: Mullins (3), Tierney-Martin, Boyle (2), Cordero Cons: Carty (2), Naughton (2)

Zebre: (5) 12

Tries: Stavile, Fusco Con: Da Re

Connacht ran in seven tries as they started their European Challenge Cup campaign with a comfortable 43-12 victory over Zebre in a wind-swept Galway.

The Italian visitors were first on the scoreboard with a try from Bautista Stavile Bravin try before Connacht seized control.

Chay Mullins went over twice on his Connacht debut and Dylan Tierney-Martin added a third try to help the Irish side to a 17-5 lead at the break.

Tries from Paul Boyle, Mullins and Santiago Cordero stretched Connacht's advantage in the second half.

Alessandro Fusco touched down for Zebre's second try before Boyle completed his double late in the game.

Connacht had the wind at their backs in the first half but Zebre were rewarded for their early pressure as Stavile Bravin went over at the corner on six minutes.

The conditions were tough for kickers - Giovanni Montemauri missed the conversion and a penalty.

Mullins also touched down in the corner for his opener and added a converted try six minutes later.

Tierney-Martin went over from a lineout maul before Zebre's Rusiate Nasove was yellow-carded before the interval.

Boyle, who was notching up his 100th Connacht appearance, sealed the bonus point by going over from a scrum.

Mullins brought up his hat-trick and Cordero also touched down before Fusco took Zebre into double figures.

Boyle completed the try-scoring on a night when Jack Carty and Sean Naughton each kicked two conversions for the hosts.

Connacht: Jennings; Mullins, Hawkshaw, Forde, Cordero; Carty, Blade; Duggan, Tierney-Martin, Aungier; Murray, Dowling; Murphy, Hurley-Langton, Boyle.

Replacements: De Buitlear, Lasisi, Barrett, O'Connor, McCormack, Devine, Naughton, Ralston.

Zebre: Montemauri; Bozzoni, Drago, Lucchin, Gesi; Da Re, Dominguez; Buonfiglio, Bigi (capt), Hasa; Canali, Krumov; Milano, Stavile Bravin, Ferrari.

Replacements: Ribaldi, Rizzoli, Nocera, Nasove, Andreani, Fusco, Bianchi, Gregory.