Connacht

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Inpho

Stormers (26) 34

Tries: Feinberg-Mngomezulu 3, Roos, Hartzenberg Cons: Feinberg-Mngomezulu 3 Pen: Feinberg-Mngomezulu

Connacht (24) 29

Tries: Jennings 2, Oliver, Tierney-Martin, Murphy Cons: Carty 2

Santiago Cordero had a last-gasp try ruled out as Connacht fell to a 34-29 defeat by the Stormers in Cape Town in the United Rugby Championship.

After Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who had earlier scored a hat-trick of tries, sent the Stormers five points clear with a late penalty, Cordero thought he had levelled the game with the clock in the red.

However, a TMO intervention ruled that hooker Dave Heffernan had impeded a tackle earlier in the play and the Stromers held on to win a pulsating fixture.

The win moves the Stormers into the top eight, which would secure a play-off, while Connacht jump into 11th with their try-scoring and losing bonus points.

A week after their 43-40 Challenge Cup defeat by Racing 92, which led to head coach Pete Wilkins leaving his role, Connacht were involved in another high-scoring thriller in Cape Town.

After Feinberg-Mngomezulu scored a superb opening try inside 60 seconds after darting through a gap, Connacht responded as Shane Jennings crossed out wide after good hands from the Irish backline.

The Stormers hit the front when Evan Roos crashed over off the back of a scrum, but Connacht drew level when Conor Oliver bundled over after more pressure in the 16th minute.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu had a stunning opening 40 minutes and grabbed his second try when he made a break and found back row Paul de Villiers, who returned the pass back inside which allowed the sprinting fly-half to score unchallenged.

The best try of the half came moments later when Feinberg-Mngomezulu again found himself in space. He chipped the ball over Piers O'Conor, collected his own kick and scored to complete his hat-trick and secure the bonus point for the Stormers.

However, Connacht refused to go away and Dylan Tierney-Martin rounded off a maul to pull a score back, and Jennings grabbed his second try of the game with the final play of the half, but Carty could only push his conversion wide as the Stormers held a two-point lead at the break.

The scintillating rugby by the Stormers continued after the restart when the South Africans powered into the 22 after a big break by Seablo Senatla, moved it quickly through the hands and Feinberg-Mngomezulu produced a ridiculous no-look pass out the back for Suleiman Hartzenberg to touch down in the corner.

The Stomers pressed for a sixth score but repeated infringements by Connacht near their own line saw centre Cathal Forde sent to the sin-bin.

However, Connacht held firm and it was soon 14 against 14 as Warrick Gelant was shown a yellow card as his attempted intercept went forward.

Connacht's resilience was rewarded when Josh Murphy powered over but Carty could only strike the post with his conversion, and the Stormers led by two points with 13 minutes to play.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu landed a long-distance penalty to move the Stormers five clear, but there was late drama as Connacht came up just short of the line through Sean Jansen and Jack Auinger dropped the ball with the tryline gaping.

That was followed by the final play of the game when replacement Cordero danced over to level the game with a conversion to come, but the TMO ruled that Heffernan had stopped Roos from tackling Carty earlier in the play and the score was chalked off, much to the frustration of the visitors.

Stormers: W Gelant; S Hartzenberg; D Du Plessis, D Willemse; S Senalta, S Feinberg-Mngomzullu; S Ungerer; A Vermaak, AH Venter, S Sandi; S Moerat, R van Heerden; P de Villiers, M Theunissen, E Roos.

Replacements: JJ Kotze, V Matongo, B Harris, JD Schikerling, L Nel, D Fourie, P de Wet, B Loader.

Connacht: P O'Conor; C Mullins; D Hawkshaw, C Forde; S Jennings; J Carty; B Murphy; P Dooley; D Tierney-Martin; F Bealham; O Dowling, D Murray; C Prendergast, C Oliver, P Boyle.

Replacements: D Heffernan, J Duggan, J Augnier, J Murphy, J Joyce, M Devine, S Cordero, S Jansen.

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI Senior Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Wednesday morning served up a startling reminder of the different worlds Leinster and the other Irish provinces currently inhabit.

Merely an hour after All Blacks centre Rieko Ioane announced his shock move to Leinster for the 2025-26 season, Connacht confirmed the departure of head coach Pete Wilkins.

Leinster are living under a cloudless, blue sky. They are top of the United Rugby Championship, are favourites to win the Investec Champions Cup and have an enviable squad that already includes an All Blacks star in Jordie Barrett - who will be gone by the time Ioane arrives - and a two-time World Cup winner in RG Snyman.

The reality for Munster, Ulster and Connacht is quite different. In the past 12 months, all three have parted ways with their head coach mid-season. While Leinster target the biggest prizes, their Irish rivals are scrapping to even qualify for Europe's top competition next season.

Even without the Wilkins news - which comes four days after Connacht's European Challenge Cup exit - the timing of the Ioane announcement is striking.

On Tuesday, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) revealed another significant tweak to their central contract model: from August 2026, provinces must contribute 40% to central deals. Given that the union fully funded these deals up until a 30% requirement was introduced last year, it is significant.

It was said that the IRFU "intends" that the funds generated by the change will be invested into the player pathways of Connacht, Munster and Ulster.

The new model will certainly hit Leinster the hardest. As of next season, Leinster have 11 centrally contracted players, Connacht have two, Munster have one and Ulster none.

Leinster will be contributing a healthy chunk of budget to those 11 Ireland internationals, but with Ioane taking Barrett's place next season, the anticipated increase to their wage bill has clearly not hampered their ability to recruit in the short-term.

As well as Snyman, Leinster already have French prop Rabah Slimani on the books.

With Ioane replacing Barrett next season, Leo Cullen will again be able to name a matchday 23 where reserve scrum-half is the only position not occupied by a current international from one of the game's four highest ranked Test teams.

After losing three Champions Cup finals in three years, it is true that Leinster's change in approach to non-Irish qualified (NIQ) signings has been brought about their quest to win European rugby's biggest prize for a first time since 2018.

But while the moves will draw envious glances from those in other countries trying to compete for the same trophies, there can be little doubt there will be a similar response much closer to home too.

Image source, Inpho

Pete Wilkins has stepped down as head coach of Connacht with "a heavy heart" after Saturday's Challenge Cup defeat by Racing 92.

The French side came out on top in a 43-40 thriller in Galway to book their place in the semi-finals.

Wilkins spent eight years at Connacht, who are 13th in the United Rugby Championship table, and became head coach in 2023.

"During this season, I have been having some very open and honest discussions about my future at the club.," Wilkins said in a statement.

"Although incredibly privileged to have been given the responsibility of leading the rugby programme here, the longer I have spent in the role, the further away I have found myself from the aspects of coaching not only that I most enjoy, but also that allow me to contribute most effectively to the team."

Wilkins joined Conacht in 2017 as defence coach and he moved into the role of senior coach in the 2021-22 campaign.

The following year he became head coach under director of rugby Andy Friend as Connacht reached the semi-finals of the United Rugby Championship and in 2023 he took full control after the departure of Friend.

Connacht say Cullie Tucker will remain as interim head coach for the remainder of the season and the province will begin the process of recruiting a new head coach for next season.

David Humphreys, director of performance at the Irish Rugby Football Union said Wilkins had "contributed an enormous amount of growth of the game" in Connacht.

"Irish Rugby owes him a debt of gratitude for his dedication and commitment to the province," added Humphreys.

"A quality coach and respected figure in Irish rugby, Pete can remember his time in Connacht with pride, and I hope that he will continue to progress his coaching career in the years to come."

Image source, Getty Images

Connacht have made five changes for their European Challenge Cup quarter-final against Racing 92 in Galway on Saturday.

The province got the better of fellow United Rugby Championship side Cardiff in the last 16 last weekend without captain Cian Prendergast.

The blind-side flanker returns to the six jersey for the visit from the Top 14 outfit, with Josh Murphy moving back into the second row for the tie (20:00 BST).

He will be partnered by former Bristol Bears lock Joe Joyce, who also missed the game against Cardiff.

Prop Denis Buckley starts at loose-head prop, while scrum-half Ben Murphy is fit again after finger surgery.

Shayne Bolton will miss out because of a quad strain with his place on the wing to be taken by Shane Jennings.

The visitors, who are 10th in the Top 14, have named former England captain Owen Farrell on the bench.

The ex-Saracens fly-half started against Perpignan last weekend but England Under-20s playmaker Dan Lancaster - the son of former England coach Stuart - has been handed the number 10 shirt.

Connacht: Hansen; Jennings, Gavin, Aki, Treacy; Hanrahan, B Murphy; Buckley, Heffernan, Bealham, J Murphy, Joyce, Prendergast (capt), Hurley-Langton, Jansen.

Replacements: Tierney-Martin, Dooley, Aungier, Dowling, Boyle, Devine, Ioane, Forde.

Racing 92: James; Naituvi, Habosi, Tuisova, Spring (capt); Lancaster, Le Garrec; Ben Arous, Escobar, Bamba, Palu, Rowlands, Baudonne, Kpoku, Joseph.

Replacements: Couly, Gogichashvili, Leota, R Taofifenua, Manyarara, D Taofifenua, Farrell, Chavancy.

Image source, Inpho

Connacht and Munster welcome back Irish internationals for the United Rugby Championship interprovincial showdown at MacHale Park on Saturday (14:30 GMT).

The hosts bring in Mack Hansen, Bundee Aki, Finlay Bealham and captain Cian Prendergast for what will be the first time a professional Connacht game is held in County Mayo, and the first time rugby is played at the Castlebar venue in its 95-year history.

The Ireland quartet are among seven Connacht changes from the 43-40 defeat by Ospreys in Wales.

Chay Mullins, Jordan Duggan and Sean Jansen also come into the starting XV.

Munster have three Irish internationals back in their side as Tadhg Beirne, Jack Crowley and Calvin Nash return.

The visitors are also boosted by the return of Oli Jager and Craig Casey from injury as they make five changes from the 28-25 defeat by Glasgow Warriors last weekend.

Munster sit sixth in the standings and three points above 12th-placed Connacht.

Connacht: Hansen; Mullins, Gavin, Aki, Treacy; Ioane, Blade; Duggan, Heffernan, Bealham; Joyce, Murray, Prendergast (capt), Hurley-Langton, Jansen.

Replacements: Tierney-Martin, Buckley, Aungier, Murphy, Boyle, Devine, Hanrahan, Cordero.

Munster: O'Connor; Nash, Farrell, Nankivell, O'Brien; Crowley, Casey; Loughman, Barron, Jager; Wycherley, Beirne (capt); Ahern, Hodnett, Coombes.

Replacements: N Scannell, Wycherley, Archer, Kleyn, Quinn, Murray, R Scannell, Kendellen.

Image source, Inpho

United Rugby Championship

Connacht (19) 38

Tries: Treacy, Bolton 2, Boyle, Hurley-Langton, Devine Cons: Ioane 3, Hanrahan

Benetton (27) 30

Tries: Mendy, Uren, Zanon Cons: Albornoz 3 Pens: Albornoz 3

Connacht recovered from an eight-point half-time deficit to see off Benetton 38-30 in a nine-try United Rugby Championship thriller at the Sportsground in Galway.

Finn Treacy, Shayne Bolton and Paul Boyle crossed for the Irish province in the first half, but touchdowns from Ignacio Mendy, Andy Uren and Marco Zanon helped the visitors to a 27-19 advantage at the break.

Shamus Hurley-Langton and Matthew Devine were Connacht's try-scorers in the second 40 minutes as they secured a bonus point, while fly-half Josh Ioane contributed three conversions and JJ Hanrahan one for the hosts.

Tomas Albornoz kicked three conversions and three penalties for the Italian side, his third penalty providing Benetton's sole points of the second half.

Connacht's fifth URC victory of the season sees them move into the top half of the table in eighth, while Benetton drop to 13th, level on points with Lions, Scarlets, Ospreys and Stormers above them in the congested standings.

Connacht: O'Conor, Bolton, Gavin, Forde, Treacy, Ioane, Blade, Dooley, Heffernan, Aungier, D. Murray, D O'Connor, Prendergast, Hurley-Langton, Boyle.

Replacements: Tierney-Martin, Buckley, Illo, J. Murphy, Dowling, Devine, Hanrahan, Hawkshaw.

Benetton Treviso: Smith, Mendy, Zanon, Fekitoa, Gallagher, Albornoz, Uren, Gallo, Bernasconi, Zilocchi, Marini, Snyman, Izekor, Kingi, Halafihi.

Replacements: Creevy, Tetaz Chaparro, Pasquali, Favretto, Koroiyadi, Garbisi, Umaga, Zanandrea.

Referee: Ben Breakspear (WRU)

Image source, SNS

Glasgow Warriors' URC match with Connacht has been moved from this Friday night to Sunday afternoon because of a severe weather warning.

Storm Eowyn is expected to bring winds of up to 90mph and an amber warning - which runs from 06:00 to 21:00 on Friday - has been issued, covering the south and most of central Scotland.

The round 10 match at Scotstoun Stadium will now take place on Sunday at 15:30 GMT.

A separate yellow warning is in place from 00:00 to 15:00 on Saturday, covering all of Scotland. Glasgow women's Celtic Challenge match against Clovers at Scotstoun remains scheduled for Saturday at 13:00.

A URC statement said: "Safety of spectators, team and venue staff, players, match officials and broadcast personnel are the number one priority and it is clear that the expected weather conditions would severely compromise this."

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.