Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/James Crombie
James Grennan
A heroic effort from our boys was ultimately undone by a combination of clinical French power and a mounting penalty count. While the lads showed incredible spirit to stay in the fight well into the second half, their defensive consistency was tested to the limit and eventually overwhelmed by the sheer size of the Montpellier pack. The defeat brings an end to Connacht’s recent winning streak as we exit the competition at the hands of , what now must be ,the tournament favourites. The defining theme of the afternoon was the power of the hosts maul. Connacht simply had no answer to the relentless forward pressure, which led directly to several scores and pinned us back in our own half for long periods. Connacht’s task was made significantly harder by three yellow cards issued during the match.
A major talking point for the travelling fans was the lack of warnings the by the referee before the cards were brandished; players were sent to the bin for isolated infringements in the red zone without the typical “final warning” given to captains. This lack of leniency left Connacht defending with 13 men for 9 minutes and 14 men for nearly 30 minutes of the match, an impossible deficit against such high-calibre opposition.
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/James Crombie
Try Scorers Montpellier
Tolofua
Penalty Try
Miotti
Cadot
Price
Welsch
Connacht
DTM
Naughton
Aungier
It was not to be for Connacht today and the chance of silverware you feel has slipped away for this season. A massive improvement in the second half of Stuart’s first season in charge so lots to be happy about and I for one am looking forward already to next season. A few tough games coming before that between traveling to South Africa and Munster at home . Onwards and upwards. Connacht Abú.