2017–18 Connacht Rugby season

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Connacht
2017–18 season
Head coachKieran Keane
Chief executiveWillie Ruane
CaptainJohn Muldoon
Pro146th, Conference A
Challenge CupQuarter-finals
Top try scorerLeague: Tiernan O'Halloran (6)
All: Matt Healy (12)
Top points scorerLeague: Jack Carty (123)
All: Jack Carty (179)
Highest home attendance8,129 v Gloucester
31 March 2018
8,129 v Leinster
28 April 2018
Lowest home attendance3,879 v Worcester Warriors
21 October 2017
Average home attendance5,780
Home colours
Away colours
Third colours
← 2016–17 2018–19 →

The 2017–18 season was Irish provincial rugby union side Connacht Rugby's seventeenth season competing in the Pro14, and the team's twenty-second season as a professional side. It was Kieran Keane's first and only season in charge of the side.

Connacht finished sixth in their seven-team Pro14 conference. As well as playing in the Pro14, the team competed in the Challenge Cup in Europe. They finished first in their pool and advanced to the knockout stage as third seed overall, but were defeated at home by Gloucester in the quarter-finals. The second tier side the Connacht Eagles competed in the 2017–18 British and Irish Cup, finishing third in their pool.

Background[edit]

Competition schedule[edit]

On 30 June 2017, BBC Wales reported that the two South African teams being dropped from the Super Rugby competition, the Cheetahs and Southern Kings, would be immediately added to Pro12.[1] Their involvement was confirmed on 1 August 2017.[2] The 14 teams were split into two conferences of seven, with each conference featuring two teams each from Ireland and Wales and one team each from Italy, Scotland and South Africa.[3] Connacht were named in Conference A. It was announced that each team would play the other teams in their own conference twice and those in the other conference once. In addition, Connacht would have two additional derby games against Leinster and Ulster, the Irish provinces in Conference B.[4]

Connacht were entered into the Challenge Cup in Europe, following a play-off defeat to Northampton Saints. The team was drawn in Pool 5 of the competition along with Brive, Worcester Warriors and Oyonnax.

Personnel changes[edit]

In February 2017, Connacht announced that New Zealander Kieran Keane, Chiefs attack coach, had signed a three-year contract to become their new head coach, replacing Pat Lam who moved to Bristol.[5] Following Keane's appointment, existing forwards coach Jimmy Duffy signed an extension to his deal and academy manager Nigel Carolan was promoted to backs coach, leaving his post as head coach of the Ireland under-20s to take the role.[6] In May 2017, Peter Wilkins joined from Edinburgh as defence coach.[7]

Among the prominent departures from the first team squad were Irish international scrum-half John Cooney, who joined Ulster, long-serving prop Ronan Loughney, who retired, and former Springbok Marnitz Boshoff, who departed a year earlier than initially planned for personal reasons. Incoming players included Australian flanker Jarrad Butler and prop Peter McCabe, who had previously been on loan with the team. The team also agreed a deal to sign Fiji international Eroni Vasiteri,[8] but the move was called off after he received a nine-week ban for gouging.[9] All Blacks Sevens player Pita Ahki was signed as a replacement.[10]

Coaching and management team[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Individuals may hold more than one non-WR nationality.

Role Name Union
Chief executive Willie Ruane[11]  Ireland
Team manager Tim Allnut[12]  New Zealand
Head coach Kieran Keane[13]  New Zealand
Forwards Coach Jimmy Duffy[14]  Ireland
Backs Coach Nigel Carolan[15]  Ireland
Defence Coach Peter Wilkins[16]  England
Head Performance Analyst Simon Kavanagh[17]  Ireland
Head of Strength and Conditiong David Howarth[18]  Australia
Strength and conditioning Coach Johnny O'Connor[19]  Ireland
Academy manager Eric Elwood[20]  Ireland
Connacht Eagles Coach Mossy Lawler[21]  Ireland

Players[edit]

Senior playing squad[edit]

The Connacht senior squad for 2017–18 was:[22]

Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.

Player Position Union
Shane Delahunt Hooker Ireland Ireland
Dave Heffernan Hooker Ireland Ireland
Tom McCartney* Hooker New Zealand New Zealand
Pat O'Toole Hooker Ireland Ireland
Finlay Bealham Prop Ireland Ireland
Denis Buckley Prop Ireland Ireland
Conor Carey Prop Ireland Ireland
JP Cooney Prop Ireland Ireland
Denis Coulson Prop Ireland Ireland
Peter McCabe Prop Ireland Ireland
Dominic Robertson-McCoy* Prop New Zealand New Zealand
Andrew Browne Lock Ireland Ireland
James Cannon* Lock England England
Ultan Dillane Lock Ireland Ireland
Quinn Roux Lock Ireland Ireland
Gavin Thornbury Lock Ireland Ireland
Jarrad Butler Flanker Australia Australia
James Connolly Flanker Ireland Ireland
Naulia Dawai Flanker Fiji Fiji
Jake Heenan* Flanker New Zealand New Zealand
Eoin McKeon Flanker Ireland Ireland
Seán O'Brien Flanker Ireland Ireland
Eoghan Masterson Number 8 Ireland Ireland
John Muldoon (c) Number 8 Ireland Ireland
Player Position Union
Caolin Blade Scrum-half Ireland Ireland
Kieran Marmion Scrum-half Ireland Ireland
Conor McKeon Scrum-half Ireland Ireland
James Mitchell* Scrum-half England England
Jack Carty Fly-half Ireland Ireland
Steve Crosbie Fly-half Ireland Ireland
Andrew Deegan Fly-half Australia Australia
Pita Ahki Centre New Zealand New Zealand
Bundee Aki Centre Ireland Ireland
Tom Farrell Centre Ireland Ireland
Eoin Griffin Centre Ireland Ireland
Peter Robb Centre Ireland Ireland
Craig Ronaldson Centre Ireland Ireland
Niyi Adeolokun Wing Ireland Ireland
Cormac Brennan Wing Ireland Ireland
Matt Healy Wing Ireland Ireland
Stacey Ili Wing New Zealand New Zealand
Rory Scholes Wing Ireland Ireland
Cian Kelleher Fullback Ireland Ireland
Darragh Leader Fullback Ireland Ireland
Tiernan O'Halloran Fullback Ireland Ireland
  • Senior 15's internationally capped players in bold
  • Players qualified to play for Ireland on dual nationality or residency grounds*
  • Irish Provinces are currently limited to four non-Irish eligible (NIE) players and one non-Irish qualified player (NIQ or "Project Player").[23] Connacht is exempted from this under a separate development arrangement.[24]

Academy squad[edit]

The Connacht academy squad for 2017–18 was:[25]

Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.

Player Position Union
Matthew Burke (year 1) Prop Ireland Ireland
Conor Kenny (year 2) Prop Ireland Ireland
Conor Kyne (year 3) Prop Ireland Ireland
Conán O'Donnell (year 3) Prop Ireland Ireland
Peter Claffey (year 2) Lock Ireland Ireland
Cillian Gallagher (year 2) Lock Ireland Ireland
Harley Fox (year 1) Flanker Australia Australia
Sean Masterson (year 1) Flanker Ireland Ireland
Paul Boyle (year 1) Number 8 Ireland Ireland
Player Position Union
Ryan Feehily (year 1) Scrum-half Ireland Ireland
Stephen Kerins (year 2) Scrum-half Ireland Ireland
Luke Carty (year 1) Fly-half Ireland Ireland
Kieran Joyce (year 1) Centre Ireland Ireland
Jordan Conroy (year 1) Wing Ireland Ireland
Colm de Buitléar (year 1) Wing Ireland Ireland
Adam Leavy (year 2) Wing Ireland Ireland
Matthew Byrne (year 2) Fullback Ireland Ireland

Senior team transfers[edit]

For player movement in the Pro14 leading up to the 2017–18 season, see List of 2017–18 Pro14 transfers.

Playing kit[edit]

The official Connacht team and support staff kit supplier for the season was Australian manufacturer BLK sport, who had supplied the full range of apparel for all of Connacht Rugby's representative teams and support staff since 2013.[48] Connacht's main shirt sponsors were Irish sporting retailer Intersport Elverys, in the second year of a three-year deal.[49]

Connacht launched their new home kit for the season in July 2017, in the traditional green.[50] The team launched new away and European kits in August 2017 during a pre-season friendly against former head coach Pat Lam's side Bristol, wearing the away kit in the first half and the European kit in the second half. The away kit was primarily cyan and white, with white shorts and socks, while the European kit was primarily blue and lime green, with blue shorts and lime green socks.[51]

Results[edit]

Pro14[edit]

Main article: 2017–18 Pro14
2017–18 Pro14 tables view · watch · edit · discuss
Conference A
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP PTS
1 Scotland Glasgow Warriors (SF) 21 15 1 5 614 366 +248 81 38 12 2 76
2 Ireland Munster (SF) 21 13 1 7 568 361 +207 78 42 10 5 69
3 South Africa Cheetahs (QF) 21 12 0 9 609 554 +55 75 68 10 5 63
4 Wales Cardiff Blues 21 11 0 10 502 482 +20 56 59 5 5 54
5 Wales Ospreys 21 9 0 12 390 487 −97 44 60 5 3 44
6 Ireland Connacht 21 7 0 14 445 477 −32 53 54 5 6 39
7 Italy Zebre 21 7 0 14 408 593 –185 50 78 4 4 36
Conference B
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP PTS
1 Ireland Leinster (CH) 21 14 1 6 601 374 +227 83 46 10 2 70
2 Wales Scarlets (RU) 21 14 1 6 528 365 +163 69 43 9 3 70
3 Scotland Edinburgh (QF) 21 15 0 6 494 375 +119 62 44 7 1 68
4 Ireland Ulster (PO) 21 12 2 7 538 482 +56 68 61 8 2 62
5 Italy Benetton 21 11 0 10 415 451 −36 51 55 6 5 55
6 Wales Dragons 21 2 2 17 378 672 −294 43 94 4 4 20
7 South Africa Southern Kings 21 1 0 20 378 829 −451 48 119 4 3 11
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order -[52]
  1. number of matches won
  2. the difference between points for and points against
  3. the number of tries scored
  4. the most points scored
  5. the difference between tries for and tries against
  6. the fewest red cards received
  7. the fewest yellow cards received

Green background indicates teams that competed in the Pro14 play-offs, and also earned a place in the 2018–19 European Champions Cup
(excluding South African teams who are ineligible)
Blue background indicates teams outside the play-off places that earned a place in the 2018–19 European Champions Cup, including the winner of the play-off between the two fourth-ranked European teams in each conference
Yellow background indicates the loser of the play-off between the two fourth-ranked European teams in each conference, that earned a place in the 2018–19 European Rugby Challenge Cup.
Plain background indicates teams that earned a place in the 2018–19 European Rugby Challenge Cup.
(CH) Champions. (RU) Runners-up. (SF) Losing semi-finalists. (QF) Losing quarter-finalists. (PO) Champions Cup play-off winners.

2 September 2017
19:35
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland12–18Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Pen: J. Carty (4/4) 1', 19', 40', 60'Report[53]Try: Price 47' c
L. Jones 71' m
Con: P. Horne (1/2) 48'
Pen: P. Horne (2/3) 11', 45'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 4,017
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
9 September 2017
19:35
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland32–10South Africa Southern Kings
Try: Farrell 14' c
E. Masterson 33' c
Dillane 40' c
Leader 69' m
Con: J. Carty (3/3) 15', 34', 40'
Pen: J. Carty (2/2) 26', 47'		Report[54]Try: B. Klaasen 31' m
Pupuma 77' m
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 5,104
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)
15 September 2017
19:30
Dragons Wales21–8Ireland Connacht
Try: Amos 1' m
Dee 18' c
Con: Henson (1/2) 19'
Pen: Henson (3/4) 23', 27', 36'		Report[55]Try: Roux 52' m
Pen: J. Carty (1/1) 6'
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 5,069
Referee: Quinton Immelman (SARU)
23 September 2017
15:15
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland15–17Wales Cardiff Blues
Try: Leader 59' m
Delahunt 74' c
Con: Leader (1/1) 75'
Pen: Ronaldson (1/1) 10'		Report[56]Try: Halaholo (2) 37' c, 77' c
Con: Shingler (1/1) 38'
Evans (1/1) 79'
Pen: Shingler (1/1) 63'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 4,659
Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR)
29 September 2017
19:35
(1 BP) Scarlets Wales36–27Ireland Connacht
Try: McNicholl 7' c
S. Evans 17' m
Patchell 24' c
Halfpenny 38' c
Beirne 77' c
Con: Halfpenny (4/5) 8', 26', 39', 79'
Pen: Halfpenny (1/2) 57'		Report[57]Try: J. Carty 9' c
O'Halloran (2) 30' c, 73' m
Kelleher 35' m
Con: J. Carty (2/4) 10', 31'
Pen: J. Carty (1/2) 22'
Parc y Scarlets
Attendance: 7,693
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)
6 October 2017
19:35
Ulster Ireland16–8Ireland Connacht
Try: Stockdale 56' c
Con: Cooney (1/1) 56'
Pen: Cooney (3/3) 28', 44', 53'		Report[58]Try: McCartney 35' m
Pen: J. Carty (1/1) 49'
Kingspan Stadium
Attendance: 14,363
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
27 October 2017
19:35
Connacht Ireland20–16Ireland Munster (1 BP)
Try: O'Halloran 22' c
Farrell 66' c
Con: J. Carty (1/1) 22'
Ronaldson (1/1) 67'
Pen: J. Carty (2/3) 39', 50'		Report[59]Try: Zebo 3' c
Con: Keatley (1/1) 4'
Pen: Keatley (2/2) 16', 30'
Hanrahan (1/1) 65'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 7,089
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)
4 November 2017
19:35
Connacht Ireland23–15South Africa Cheetahs
Try: Adeolokun 12' c
McCartney 48' c
Con: Ronaldson (1/1) 13'
J. Carty (1/1) 49'
Pen: Ronaldson (2/3) 5', 29'
Crosbie (1/1) 73'		Report[60]Try: S. Venter 67' m
Mapimpi 75' c
Con: Zeilinga (1/2) 76'
Pen: Stapelberg (1/2) 40'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 6,012
Referee: Frank Murphy (IRFU)
24 November 2017
19:35
Cardiff Blues Wales36–30Ireland Connacht (2 BP)
Try: Robinson 17' c
Morgan 52' c
Lane 60' c
Con: Evans (1/1) 18'
Anscombe (2/2) 53', 61'
Pen: Evans (3/3) 15', 23', 37'
Anscombe (2/2) 73', 80'		Report[61]Try: Adeolokun 29' c
Delahunt (2) 55' m, 70' m
Muldoon 75' c
Con: J. Carty (1/2) 30'
Crosbie (1/2) 76'
Pen: J. Carty (2/2) 12', 33'
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 5,042
Referee: Craig Evans (WRU)
2 December 2017
14:15
Zebre Italy24–10Ireland Connacht
Try: Meyer 67' c
Venditti 76' m
Con: Canna (1/2) 68'
Pen: Canna (3/4) 10', 40', 61'
Drop: Canna (1/1) 74'		Report[62]Try: Farrell 43' c
Con: Crosbie (1/1) 44'
Pen: J. Carty (1/2) 66'
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: George Clancy (IRFU)
23 December 2017
19:35
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland44–16Ireland Ulster
Try: E. Masterson 2' m
Aki 7' c
O'Halloran 24' m
Dillane (2) 54' c, 75' c
Butler 59' c
Con: J. Carty (4/6) 8', 56', 61', 76'
Pen: J. Carty (2/2) 40', 47'		Report[63]Try: Gilroy 65' m
Lyttle 79' m
Pen: Cooney (2/2) 23', 32'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 7,629
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)
1 January 2018
15:15
Leinster Ireland21–18Ireland Connacht (1 BP)
Try: Deegan 28' m
L. McGrath 60' c
Con: Sexton (1/2) 61'
Pen: Sexton (3/3) 6', 25', 49'		Report[64]Try: Bealham 38' c
Healy 68' m
Con: J. Carty (1/2) 39'
Pen: J. Carty (2/2) 1', 34'
RDS Arena
Attendance: 17,112
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
6 January 2018
19:45
(1 BP) Munster Ireland39–13Ireland Connacht
Try: O'Shea 19' c
Conway 53' c
Earls 59' m
Murray (2) 63' c, 69' c
Con: Keatley (4/5) 20', 54', 64', 70'
Pen: Keatley (2/2) 30', 50'		Report[65]Try: McCartney 77' c
Con: Ronaldson (1/1) 78'
Pen: J. Carty (2/2) 2', 24'
Thomond Park
Attendance: 18,604
Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU)
9 February 2018
19:35
Connacht Ireland26–15Wales Ospreys
Try: E. Masterson 40' c
Farrell 68' c
Con: Ronaldson (2/2) 40', 69'
Pen: Ronaldson (4/5) 9', 23' 53', 75'		Report[66]Try: Howells 18' m
Morgan-Williams 71' c
Con: S. Davies (1/2) 72'
Pen: S. Davies (1/3) 62'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 5,242
Referee: Stuart Berry (SARU)
16 February 2018
19:35
Connacht Ireland11–19Italy Zebre
Try: Leader 72' m
Pen: Ronaldson (2/3) 16', 40'		Report[67]Try: Giammarioli 18' c
Di Giulio 46' m
Andrea De Marchi (rugby union, born 1988)De Marchi 64' c
Con: Canna (2/3) 19', 65'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 5,400
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)
24 February 2018
12:00
(1 BP) Benetton Italy19–22Ireland Connacht
Try: Tebaldi 35' c
Ioane 58' m
Fuser 80' c
Con: Banks (2/3) 37', 80'		Report[68]Try: Bealham 43' m
Butler 61' c
Griffin 73' c
Con: Carty (2/3) 62', 74'
Pen: Carty (1/2) 70'
Stadio Comunale di Monigo
Attendance: 2,100
Referee: Lloyd Linton (SRU)
3 March 2018
17:35
Cheetahs South Africa26–25Ireland Connacht (1 BP)
Try: Cassiem 3' c
Maxwane 60' c
Con: N. Marais (2/2) 4', 61'
Pen: N. Marais (4/5) 9', 17', 24', 79'		Report[69]Try: Healy (2) 14' c, 20' m
Griffin 57' c
Con: J. Carty (2/3) 15', 58'
Pen: J. Carty (2/3) 38', 42'
Toyota Stadium
Attendance: 6,095
Referee: Stuart Berry (SARU)
23 March 2018
19:35
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland22–29Scotland Edinburgh
Try: O'Halloran 11' c
Farrell 16' c
Bealham 65' m
Con: J. Carty (2/2) 12', 17'
Pen: J. Carty (1/2) 39'		Report[70]Try: Fife 1' m
Van der Merwe 22' m
Weir 72' c
Con: Weir (1/1) 73'
Pen: Van der Walt (1/1) 7'
Weir (3/3) 61', 70', 80'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 5,048
Referee: George Clancy (IRFU)
6 April 2018
19:35
(1 BP) Ospreys Wales39–10Ireland Connacht
Try: Hassler 14' c
Evans 26' c
Otten 52' c
Beck 60' c
Dirksen 66' m
Con: Biggar (4/5) 15', 27', 52', 61'
Pen: Biggar (2/2) 2', 9'		Try: Ronaldson 21' c
Con: Ronaldson (1/1) 22'
Pen: J. Carty (1/2) 39'
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 8,092
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
13 April 2018
19:35
(1 BP) Glasgow Warriors Scotland35–22Ireland Connacht
Try: Hogg 3' c
Dunbar 26' c
Brown 40' c
Pyrgos 43' m
Con: P. Horne (3/4) 4', 27', 40'
Pen: P. Horne (3/3) 7', 13', 21'		Report[71]Try: Bealham 1' m
Blade 67' c
Penalty try 75'
Con: J. Carty (1/2) 68'
Pen: J. Carty (1/1) 24'
Scotstoun Stadium
Attendance: 7,351
Referee: Frank Murphy (IRFU)
28 April 2018
15:05
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland47–10Ireland Leinster
Try: Adeolokun (2) 2' c, 41' m
O'Halloran 28' c
Marmion (2) 32' c, 49' c
Aki 70' c
Blade 75' c
Con: J. Carty (4/5) 4', 28', 32', 50'
Ronaldson (1/1) 71'
Muldoon (1/1) 76'		Report[72]Try: B. Daly 53' c
Con: Carbery (1/1) 54'
Pen: Carbery (1/2) 12'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 8,129
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)

Challenge Cup[edit]

Main article: 2017–18 European Rugby Challenge Cup

Pool 5[edit]

Pos Team
 Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts
1 Ireland Connacht (3) 6 5 1 0 225 102 +123 29 15 4 0 26
2 France Brive (7) 6 3 0 3 161 162 −1 23 19 4 1 17
3 England Worcester Warriors 6 2 1 3 124 133 −9 16 17 3 2 15
4 France Oyonnax 6 1 0 5 102 215 −113 11 28 0 0 4
Source: espn.co.uk
14 October 2017
20:00
Oyonnax France15–43Ireland Connacht (1 BP)
Try: Tian 25' c
Müller 30' m
Con: Audy (1/2) 26'
Pen: Ruiz (1/1) 3'		ReportTry: Healy (2) 3' c, 51' c
Kelleher 11' m
McKeon 22' c
Leader 79' m
Con: Deegan (3/5) 4', 24', 52'
Pen: Deegan (4/4) 38', 44', 57', 61'
Stade de Genève
Attendance: 3,500
Referee: Tom Foley (RFU)
21 October 2017
15:00
Connacht Ireland15–8England Worcester Warriors (1 BP)
Try: E. Masterson 5' m
Healy 57' c
Con: J. Carty (1/2) 58'
Pen: J. Carty (1/1) 20'		ReportTry: Adams 51' m
Pen: Lance (1/1) 74'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 3,879
Referee: Ian Davies (WRU)
9 December 2017
21:00
(2 BP) Brive France31–38Ireland Connacht (1 BP)
Try: Tadjer (2) 15' c, 45' c
Cazenave 24' c
Brugnaut 28' m
Namy 70' m
Con: Germain (3/4) 16', 25', 47'		ReportTry: Dillane 31' c
Marmion 39' c
J. Carty 48' c
Kelleher 61' m
Con: J. Carty (3/4) 32', 40', 49'
Pen: J. Carty (4/4) 6', 43', 59', 67'
Stade Amédée-Domenech
Attendance: 3,000
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys (RFU)
16 December 2017
15:00
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland55–10France Brive
Try: Healy (4) 5' c, 49' c, 57' c, 69' c
J. Carty 32' c
Marmion 60' c
Farrell 74' c
Con: J. Carty (7/7) 6', 33', 50', 59', 61', 70', 75'
Pen: J. Carty (2/2) 12', 41'		ReportTry: Germain 29' c
Con: Germain (1/1) 29'
Pen: Germain (1/1) 39'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 5,572
Referee: Ian Tempest (RFU)
13 January 2018
15:00
(1 BP) Worcester Warriors England24–24Ireland Connacht
Try: Humphreys (2) 1' c, 22' m
Lewis 4' m
Adams 38' c
Con: Pennell (2/3) 3', 40'		ReportTry: Muldoon 16' c
Adeolokun 26' c
O'Halloran 59' c
Con: Ronaldson (3/3) 17', 26', 59'
Pen: Ronaldson (1/1) 53'
Sixways Stadium
Attendance: 6,670
Referee: Alexandre Ruiz (FFR)
20 January 2018
14:30
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland50–14France Oyonnax
Try: Adeolokun (3) 1' m, 3' c, 31' m
Aki 10' c
O'Halloran 19' m
Healy 33' c
Farrell 66' c
Penalty try 75'
Con: Ronaldson (2/4) 3', 11'
O'Halloran (2/3) 34', 67'		ReportTry: Müller 16' c
Ikpefan 39' c
Con: Fuertes (1/1) 17'
Hall (1/1) 40'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 5,017
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys (RFU)

Pool winners and runners-up rankings[edit]

Rank Pool Leaders Pts Diff TF
1 France Pau 29 +82 28
2 England Newcastle Falcons 28 +107 33
3 Ireland Connacht 26 +123 29
4 Scotland Edinburgh 25 +184 40
5 Wales Cardiff Blues 21 +4 12
Rank Pool Runners–up Pts Diff TF
6 England Gloucester 21 +114 37
7 France Brive 17 –1 23
8 France Stade Français 17 –15 21
9 Wales Dragons 16 +23 21
10 France Toulouse 14 –3 14

Quarter-finals[edit]

31 March 2018
13:00
Connacht Ireland (3)28–33(6) England Gloucester
Try: Marmion 7' m
Aki 19' m
Adeolokun 45' m
Healy 70' c
Con: Ronaldson (1/1) 71'
Pen: J. Carty (1/1) 49'
Ronaldson (1/1) 67'		ReportTry: Hanson 3' m
Marshall 26' m
Trinder 37' m
Afoa 55' c
Con: Williams (2/4) 38', 57'
Pen: Williams (2/2) 42', 63'
Twelvetrees (1/1) 77'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 8,129
Referee: Romain Poite (FFR)

References[edit]

  1. ^ Lloyd, Matt; Griffiths, Gareth (30 June 2017). "South African sides Cheetahs and Southern Kings set to join Pro12". BBC Sport Wales. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  2. ^ "Statement: Expansion to Guinness PRO14 Championship". pro12rugby.com. 1 August 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  3. ^ "Pro14: Who's in? How will conferences work? What about derby matches?". BBC Sport. 1 August 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  4. ^ Cummiskey, Gavin (7 July 2017). "Pro12 will be expanded to include two South African teams". The Irish Times. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  5. ^ "Kieran Keane appointed new Head Coach". connachtrugby.ie. 20 February 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
  6. ^ "Connacht confirm Carolan and Duffy as part of new coaching team". RTÉ Sport. 23 May 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
  7. ^ "Connacht appoint former Queensland Reds and Edinburgh defence coach". The42. 9 May 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
  8. ^ "Connacht sign Fiji centre Eroni Vasiteri Narumasa on one-year deal". Sky Sports. 13 September 2017. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
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