2016–17 Connacht Rugby season

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Connacht
2016–17 season
Head coachPat Lam
Chief executiveWillie Ruane
CaptainJohn Muldoon
Pro128th
Champions CupPool stage (3rd)
Top try scorerAll: Niyi Adeolokun (8)
Top points scorerAll: Craig Ronaldson (100)
Highest home attendance8,091 v Toulouse
15 October 2016
Lowest home attendance4,091 v Zebre
3 March 2017
Average home attendance6,386
Home colours
Away colours
← 2015–16 2017–18 →

The 2016–17 season was Irish provincial rugby union side Connacht Rugby's sixteenth season competing in the Pro12, and the team's twenty-first season as a professional side. It was Pat Lam's fourth and final season in charge of the side.

Connacht finished the season in eight place in the league. As well as playing in the Pro12, Connacht competed in the Champions Cup in Europe, finishing third in their pool, level on points with Toulouse, who advanced to the knockout stage as one of the best runners-up. The second-tier side the Connacht Eagles competed in the 2016–17 British and Irish Cup, finishing bottom of their pool.

Background[]

Connacht started the season with a new coaching team. Backs and kicking coach Andre Bell left his role to return to his family in New Zealand.[1] Head performance analyst and assistant attack coach Conor McPhillips took over coaching of the backs, while the team's former head coach Eric Elwood took over coaching kicking.[2] The close season also saw the departure of the side's all-time record try-scorer Fionn Carr who scored 42 tries over two spells with the province.[3] During the off-season, the team's homeground, the Galway Sportsground underwent renovations with the addition of a seated stand increasing its capacity to 8,100.[4]

Coaching and management team[]

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[5]  Ireland
Head Coach Pat Lam[6]  Samoa[a]
Team Manager Tim Allnut[7]  New Zealand
Forwards Coach Jimmy Duffy[8]  Ireland
Backs Coach Conor McPhillips[9]  Ireland
Skills Coach Dave Ellis
Mossy Lawler[10] 		 Ireland
Kicking Coach Eric Elwood[9]  Ireland
Head Performance Analyst Simon Kavanagh[9]  Ireland
Head of Fitness Paul Bunce[11]  New Zealand
Academy Manager Nigel Carolan[12]  Ireland
Connacht Eagles Coach Mossy Lawler[10]  Ireland
Consultant Coach Nathan White[10]  Ireland

Players[]

Senior playing squad[]

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

Player Position Union
Shane Delahunt Hooker Ireland Ireland
Dave Heffernan Hooker Ireland Ireland
Tom McCartney Hooker New Zealand New Zealand
John Andress Prop Ireland Ireland
Finlay Bealham Prop Ireland Ireland
Denis Buckley Prop Ireland Ireland
Conor Carey Prop Ireland Ireland
JP Cooney Prop Ireland Ireland
Ronan Loughney Prop Ireland Ireland
Peter McCabe Prop Ireland Ireland
Dominic Robertson-McCoy* Prop New Zealand New Zealand
Ivan Soroka Prop Ireland Ireland
Andrew Browne Lock Ireland Ireland
James Cannon* Lock England England
Ultan Dillane Lock Ireland Ireland
Ben Marshall Lock Ireland Ireland
Danny Qualter Lock Ireland Ireland
Quinn Roux Lock Ireland Ireland
Lewis Stevenson Lock Ireland Ireland
James Connolly Flanker Ireland Ireland
Naulia Dawai Flanker Fiji Fiji
Nepia Fox-Matamua Flanker New Zealand New Zealand
Jake Heenan* Flanker New Zealand New Zealand
Rory Moloney Flanker Ireland Ireland
Seán O'Brien Flanker Ireland Ireland
Eoghan Masterson Number 8 Ireland Ireland
Eoin McKeon Number 8 Ireland Ireland
John Muldoon (c) Number 8 Ireland Ireland
Player Position Union
Caolin Blade Scrum-half Ireland Ireland
John Cooney Scrum-half Ireland Ireland
Kieran Marmion Scrum-half Ireland Ireland
Marnitz Boshoff Fly-half South Africa South Africa
Jack Carty Fly-half Ireland Ireland
Steve Crosbie Fly-half Ireland Ireland
Shane O'Leary* Fly-half Canada Canada
Bundee Aki Centre New Zealand New Zealand
Tom Farrell Centre Ireland Ireland
Eoin Griffin Centre Ireland Ireland
Rory Parata Centre Ireland Ireland
Peter Robb Centre Ireland Ireland
Craig Ronaldson Centre Ireland Ireland
Niyi Adeolokun Wing Ireland Ireland
Matt Healy Wing Ireland Ireland
Stacey Ili Wing New Zealand New Zealand
Cian Kelleher Wing Ireland Ireland
Danie Poolman* Wing South Africa South Africa
Darragh Leader Fullback Ireland Ireland
Tiernan O'Halloran Fullback Ireland Ireland
Josh Rowland Fullback Ireland Ireland
  • Players qualified to play for Ireland on dual nationality or residency grounds*
  • Senior 15's internationally capped players in bold
  • Irish Provinces were limited to four non-Irish eligible (NIE) players and one non-Irish qualified player (NIQ or "Project Player"). Connacht Rugby is exempted from this under a separate development arrangement

Academy squad[]

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

Player Position Union
Jack Dineen Hooker Ireland Ireland year 3
Pat O'Toole Hooker Ireland Ireland year 2
Jamie Dever Prop Ireland Ireland year 3
Conor Kenny Prop Ireland Ireland year 1
Conor Kyne Prop Ireland Ireland year 2
Saba Meunargia Prop Ireland Ireland year 3
Conán O'Donnell Prop Ireland Ireland year 2
Peter Claffey Lock Ireland Ireland year 1
Cillian Gallagher Lock Ireland Ireland year 1
Cian Romaine Lock Ireland Ireland year 2
Marc Kelly Flanker Ireland Ireland year 3
Stephen McVeigh Flanker Ireland Ireland year 3
Player Position Union
Stephen Kerins Scrum-half Ireland Ireland year 1
Conor Lowndes Scrum-half Ireland Ireland year 2
Conor McKeon Scrum-half Ireland Ireland year 3
Matthew Byrne Wing Ireland Ireland year 1
Ciaran Gaffney Wing Ireland Ireland year 3
Adam Leavy Wing Ireland Ireland year 1
Ed O'Keefe Wing Ireland Ireland year 2
Cormac Brennan Fullback Ireland Ireland year 2

Senior Team Transfers[]

For player movement in the Pro12 leading up to the 2016–17 season, see List of 2016–17 Pro12 transfers.

Results[]

Pro12[]

Main article: 2016–17 Pro12
2016–17 Pro12 · · discuss
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA Try bonus Losing bonus Pts
1 Ireland Munster (RU) 22 19 0 3 602 316 +286 77 34 9 1 86
2 Ireland Leinster (SF) 22 18 0 4 674 390 +284 91 47 12 1 85
3 Wales Scarlets (CH) 22 17 0 5 537 359 +178 66 40 9 0 77
4 Wales Ospreys (SF) 22 14 0 8 556 360 +196 74 42 10 3 69
5 Ireland Ulster 22 14 1 7 521 371 +150 68 47 6 4 68
6 Scotland Glasgow Warriors 22 11 0 11 540 464 +76 72 53 9 5 58
7 Wales Cardiff Blues 22 11 1 10 508 498 +10 59 60 3 4 53
8 Ireland Connacht 22 9 0 13 413 498 −85 47 61 5 3 44
9 Scotland Edinburgh 22 6 0 16 400 491 −91 46 59 1 6 31
10 Italy Benetton Treviso 22 5 0 17 316 664 −348 35 92 1 2 23
11 Wales Newport Gwent Dragons 22 4 0 18 368 569 −201 38 71 1 6 23
12 Italy Zebre 22 3 0 19 318 773 −455 38 105 1 6 19
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:[39]
  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 (rows 1 to 4) are play-off places and earn a place in the 2017–18 European Rugby Champions Cup.
Blue background indicates teams outside the play-off places that earn a place in the European Rugby Champions Cup.
Yellow background advances to a play-off for a chance to compete in the Champions Cup.[40]
(Q) indicates team has qualified for the play-offs and has qualified for the 2017–18 European Rugby Champions Cup.
3 September 2016
17:15
Connacht Ireland 5–41 Scotland Glasgow Warriors (1 BP)
Try: Adeolokun 32' m
 Report Try: Seymour (2) 10' m, 36' m
Hogg 45' c
Swinson 52' c
Puafisi 58' c
Lamont 70' c
Con: Pyrgos (3/5)
Clegg (1/1)
Pen: Pyrgos (1/1) 24'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 6,063
Referee: (WRU)
10 September 2016
19:35
Connacht Ireland 11–32 Wales Ospreys (1 BP)
Try: McKeon 57' m
Pen: Carty (2/2) 20', 46'
 Report Try: Webb (2) 29' c, 74' c
Ardron 71' m
Hassler 77' c
Con: S. Davies (3/4) 29', 74', 77'
Pen: S. Davies (2/2) 5', 63'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 5,749
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
17 September 2016
18:05
Zebre Italy Postponed Ireland Connacht

After 40 minutes of play, the match was "abandoned due to adverse weather conditions causing considerable risk to both the players and spectators". Zebre were leading 22–10 (3 tries to 1) when the match was abandoned. A rescheduled fixture was played on 1 April 2017.[41][42]

24 September 2016
19:35
Scarlets Wales 17–8 Ireland Connacht
Try: Li. Williams (2) 36' c, 66' c
Con: Patchell (2/2) 36', 66'
Pen: Patchell (1/1) 71'
 Report Try: Adeolokun 22' m
Pen: Carty (1/1) 40'
Parc y Scarlets
Attendance: 5,630
Referee: George Clancy (IRFU)
30 September 2016
19:35
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland 28–15 Scotland Edinburgh
Try: Adeolokun 9' c
Roux 36' m
Kelleher 45' m
Robb 73' m
Con: Carty (1/4)
Pen: Carty (2/2) 17', 23'
 Report Try: Gilchrist 19' c
Allen 70' m
Con: Tovey (1/2)
Pen: Tovey (1/1) 5'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 5,771
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)
7 October 2016
19:35
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland 30–25 Ireland Ulster (1 BP)
Try: Carty 2' c
Kelleher (2) 23' m, 52' m
Connolly 25' c
Con: Carty (2/4)
Pen: Carty (2/2) 37', 59'
 Report Try: Gilroy 33' m
Best 41' c
Payne 44' c
Con: Jackson (2/3)
Pen: Jackson (2/2) 5', 65'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 6,194
Referee: (IRFU)
29 October 2016
17:15
Leinster Ireland 24–13 Ireland Connacht
Try: Byrne 49'
Daly 75' c
Con: Nacewa (1/2) 76'
Pen: Nacewa (4/4) 23', 32', 38', 58'
 Report Try: Delahunt 80' c
Con: Carty (1/1) 80'
Pen: Ronaldson (2/2) 4', 13'
RDS Arena
Attendance: 18,200
Referee: John Lacey (IRFU)
4 November 2016
19:15
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales 21–16 Ireland Connacht (1 BP)
Try: Hewitt (2) 14' c, 46' c
Con: O'Brien (2/2) 14', 46'
Pen: O'Brien (1/1) 21'
Drop: O'Brien (2/2) 36', 52'
 Report Try: Adeolokun 69' c
Con: Carty (1/1) 69'
Pen: Carty (3/3) 25', 39', 59'
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 4,522
Referee: George Clancy (IRFU)
25 November 2016
19:35
Connacht Ireland 18–7 Wales Cardiff Blues
Try: Cooney 15' c
Aki 56' m
Con: Cooney (1/2) 16'
Pen: Cooney (2/2) 40', 49'
 Report Try: James 17' c
Con: Shingler (1/1) 18'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 6,190
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)
3 December 2016
15:00
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland 47–8 Italy Benetton Treviso
Try: McCartney (2) 14' c, 32' c
Poolman 26' c
Buckley 38' c
Cooney 50' c
Heffernan 55' m
Carty 74' c
Con: Cooney (4/4) 14', 26', 32', 38'
Boshoff (1/1) 50'
Carty (1/2) 74'
 Report Try: 67' c
Con: (1/1) 5'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 5,903
Referee: (WRU)
23 December 2016
19:35
Ulster Ireland 23–7 Ireland Connacht
Try: McCloskey 26' c
Ross 52' c
Con: Jackson (2/2) 28', 53'
Pen: Jackson (3/3) 20', 36', 67'
 Report Try: Carty 55'
Con: Carty (1/1) 56'
Kingspan Stadium
Attendance: 17,613
Referee: George Clancy (IRFU)
31 December 2016
17:30
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland 9–16 Ireland Munster
Pen: Carty (3/4) 30', 50', 76'
 Report Try: Marshall 56' c
Con: Keatley (1/1) 57'
Pen: Keatley (2/3) 2', 39'
Drop: Keatley (1/2) 68'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 8,090
Referee: (IRFU)
7 January 2017
13:30
(1 BP) Ospreys Wales 29–7 Ireland Connacht
Try: Baker 11' c
Cracknell 13' c
Smith 56' c
Beck 79' m
Con: S. Davies (3/3) 12', 14', 57'
Pen: S. Davies (1/1) 44'
 Report Try: O'Brien 75' c
Con: Cooney (1/1) 77'
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 6,669
Referee: John Lacey (IRFU)
12 February 2017
17:05
(1 BP) Cardiff Blues Wales 13–19 Ireland Connacht
Try: N. Williams 28' c
Con: Anscombe (1/1) 28'
Pen: Anscombe (2/2) 12', 20'
 Report Try: Healy 39' c
Con: Cooney (1/1) 39'
Pen: Cooney (2/2) 44', 64'
Ronaldson (1/1) 80'
Drop: O'Halloran (1/1) 78'
BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 4,300
Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR)
18 February 2017
19:35
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland 14–9 Wales Newport Gwent Dragons (1 BP)
Try: O'Halloran 5' c
Blade 13' c
Con: Ronaldson (2/2) 5', 13'
 Report Pen: O'Brien (3/3) 18', 42', 53'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 6,190
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)
26 February 2017
13:30
Benetton Treviso Italy 19–34 Ireland Connacht (1 BP)
Try: Buondonno 37' m
Sperandio 70' c
Odiete 75' c
Con: Tebaldi (1/1) 37'
Buondonno (1/1) 75' c
 Report Try: Blade 27' c
Bealham 31' c
Ronaldson 47' c
O'Halloran 60' c
Con: Ronaldson (3/3) 27', 31', 47'
Carty (1/1) 60'
Pen: Ronaldson (2/2) 15', 21'
Stadio Comunale di Monigo
Attendance: 1,500
Referee: (WRU)
3 March 2017
19:35
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland 33–3 Italy Zebre
Try: Adeolokun 8' c
Dawai 26' m
Muldoon 61' c
Penalty try 66' c
Stevenson 75' c
Con: Cooney (1/2) 8'
O'Halloran (2/2) 61', 66'
Ronaldson (1/1) 75'
 Report Pen: Palazzani (1/1) 45'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 4,091
Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR)
25 March 2017
17:15
(1 BP) Glasgow Warriors Scotland 35–24 Ireland Connacht
Try: Flynn 11' c
Russell 49' c
Price 54' c
Lamont 77' m
Con: Russell (3/3) 12', 50', 54'
Pen: Russell (2/2) 7', 36'
P. Horne (1/1) 74'
 Report Try: Adeolokun 4' m
Muldoon 29' c
Con: Ronaldson (1/2) 30'
Pen: Ronaldson (3/4) 19', 48', 66'
J. Cooney (1/1) 76'
Scotstoun Stadium
Attendance: 7,351
Referee: (WRU)
1 April 2017
15:30
Zebre Italy 25–22 Ireland Connacht (1 BP)
Try: Minnie 24' c
Boni 41' m
Padovani 66' c
Con: Canna (2/3) 26', 67'
Pen: Canna (2/3) 7', 31'
 Report Try: Ili 1' m
Ronaldson 13' c
Rowland 78' c
Con: J. Cooney (1/2) 14'
Ronaldson (1/1) 79'
Pen: J. Cooney (1/2) 47'
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)
  • Game rescheduled from 17 September 2016.
7 April 2017
19:35
(1 BP) Edinburgh Scotland 19–22 Ireland Connacht
Try: Penalty try 63' c
Watson 66' c
G. Bryce 73' m
Con: Weir (2/3) 63', 67'
 Report Try: E. McKeon 29' c
Con: Crosbie (1/1) 30'
Pen: Crosbie (5/5) 8', 26', 36', 49', 60'
New Myreside
Attendance: 3,189
Referee: (WRU)
15 April 2017
19:35
Connacht Ireland 24–37 Ireland Leinster (1 BP)
Try: Poolman 18' c
Heffernan 49' m
Con: Ronaldson (1/2) 18'
Pen: Ronaldson (4/4) 1', 12', 28', 40'
 Report Try: Kirchner 6' m
A. Byrne 10' c
O'Loughlin 34' m
Ruddock 52' c
B. Daly 68'c
Con: R. Byrne (3/5) 10', 53', 68'
Pen: R. Byrne (2/2) 20', 76'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 8,090
Referee: (WRU)
29 April 2017
20:00
Connacht Ireland 8–30 Wales Scarlets (1 BP)
Try: Ronaldson 58' m
Pen: Boshoff (1/1) 11'
 Try: McNicholl 4' c
S. Evans (2) 14' m, 26' m
L. Williams 31' m
van der Merwe 78' m
Con: Patchell (1/5) 5'
Pen: Patchell (1/1) 66'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 5,290
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)
6 May 2017
17:15
(1 BP) Munster Ireland 50–14 Ireland Connacht
Try: Earls 8' c
O'Donoghue 27' c
Conway (2) 33' c, 54' c
Cronin 43' c
Saili 70' c
Oliver 80' m
Con: Keatley (6/7) 8', 28', 34', 44', 54', 70'
Pen: Keatley (1/1) 25'
 Try: Kelleher 51' c
Dawai 64' c
Con: Ronaldson (2/2) 52', 65'
Thomond Park
Attendance: 18,567
Referee: (IRFU)

Champions Cup[]

Main article: 2016–17 European Rugby Champions Cup

Pool 1[]

Team
 P W D L PF PA Diff TF TA TB LB Pts
England Wasps (5) 6 4 1 1 210 112 +98 28 13 3 1 22
France Toulouse (7) 6 3 1 2 164 91 +73 22 10 2 2 18
Ireland Connacht 6 4 0 2 188 118 +70 26 15 2 0 18
Italy Zebre 6 0 0 6 90 331 −241 11 49 0 0 0
15 October 2016
17:30
Connacht Ireland 23–21 France Toulouse (1 BP)
Try: Adeolokun 20' m
O'Halloran 58' m
Aki 66' c
Con: Ronaldson (1/1) 66'
Pen: Carty (2/3) 25', 29'
 Report Try: David 34' m
Doussain 37' c
Con: Bézy (1/2) 37'
Pen: Bézy (2/4) 7', 11'
Fritz (1/1) 13'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 8,091
Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)
23 October 2016
16:15
Zebre Italy 7–52 Ireland Connacht (1 BP)
Try: D'Apice 61' c
Con: Padovani (1/1) 61'
 Report Try: Ili (3) 10' c, 41' c, 79' c
Carty 13' c
Penalty try 52' c
Kelleher (2) 53' c, 74' m
Carey 55' m
Con: Ronaldson (6/8) 10', 13', 41', 52', 53', 79'
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
Attendance: 3,000
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (FFR)
11 December 2016
13:00
(1 BP) Wasps England 32–17 Ireland Connacht
Try: Beale 6' c
Hughes 43' c
Launchbury 62' c
Bassett 72' m
Con: Gopperth (3/4) 7', 44', 63'
Pen: Gopperth (2/2) 22', 35'
 Report Try: Marmion 24' c
Parata 45' c
Con: Carty (2/2) 25', 46'
Pen: Carty (1/3) 18'
Ricoh Arena
Attendance: 13,364
Referee: Alexandre Ruiz (FFR)
17 December 2016
17:30
Connacht Ireland 20–18 England Wasps
Try: Poolman 39' c
Dawai 80' c
Con: Carty (2/2) 40', 80'
Pen: Carty (2/3) 8', 31'
 Report Try: Simpson 13' c
Bassett 72' m
Con: Gopperth (1/2) 13'
Pen: Gopperth (2/3) 53', 67'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 8,090
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (FFR)
(for Jérôme Garcès (FFR))

Assistant referee Mathieu Raynal replaced the original referee Jérôme Garcès on the 73rd minute of the game after pulling a hamstring.

14 January 2017
13:00
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland 66–21 Italy Zebre
Try: Healy (2) 1' c, 41' c
Cooney 18' c
O'Halloran (2) 23' c, 43' c
Bealham 27' c
Marmion (2) 36' m, 54' c
Ronaldson 39' c
Blade 66' m
Con: Cooney (8/10) 2', 19', 23', 29', 40', 42', 44', 55'
 Report Try: Meyer 6' c
Ruzza 11' c
Bellini 62' c
Con: Canna (3/3) 7', 12', 62'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 5,607
Referee: (RFU)
22 January 2017
16:15
Toulouse France 19–10 Ireland Connacht
Try: Fickou 5' c
17' c
Tekori 46' m
Con: Doussain (2/3) 6', 18'
 Report Try: Muldoon 53' c
Con: Ronaldson (1/1) 54'
Pen: Ronaldson (1/2) 33'
Stadium Municipal
Attendance: 12,023
Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU)

Champions Cup play-offs[]

Main article: 2017–18 European Rugby Champions–Challenge Cup play-offs

Semi-final[]

20 May 2017
16:00 BST
Northampton Saints England 21–15 Ireland Connacht
Try: Mallinder 1' c
Groom 56' m
Con: Mallinder (1/2) 2'
Pen: Mallinder (3/3) 15', 23', 70'
 Report Try: Adeolokun 4' c
Heffernan 61' m
Con: Ronaldson (1/2) 4'
Pen: Ronaldson (1/1) 28'
Franklin's Gardens, Northampton
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (FFR)
FB 15 Samoa Ahsee Tuala Substituted off 78'
RW 14 England Ben Foden
OC 13 Tonga Nafi Tuitavake
IC 12 England Luther Burrell Substituted off 23'
LW 11 Wales George North
FH 10 England Harry Mallinder
SH 9 South Africa Nic Groom Substituted off 67'
N8 8 France Louis Picamoles
OF 7 England Teimana Harrison Substituted off 58'
BF 6 England Jamie Gibson Temporarily suspended from 78' to 80' 78' to 80'
RL 5 England Christian Day Substituted off 64'
LL 4 England Courtney Lawes
TP 3 England Kieran Brookes Substituted off 62'
HK 2 England Dylan Hartley (c) Substituted off 59'
LP 1 England Alex Waller Substituted off 62'
Replacements:
HK 16 England Mike Haywood Substituted in 78'
PR 17 Fiji Campese Ma'afu Substituted in 62'
PR 18 England Gareth Denman Substituted in 62'
LK 19 Fiji Api Ratuniyarawa Substituted in 64'
FL 20 England Tom Wood Substituted in 58'
SH 21 England Lee Dickson Substituted in 67'
FH 22 England Sam Olver
CE 23 Scotland Rory Hutchinson Substituted in 23'
Coach:
England Jim Mallinder
FB 15 Ireland Tiernan O'Halloran
RW 14 Ireland Niyi Adeolokun
OC 13 South Africa Danie Poolman
IC 12 Ireland Craig Ronaldson
LW 11 Ireland Cian Kelleher Substituted off 3'
FH 10 Ireland Jack Carty
SH 9 Ireland Kieran Marmion Substituted off 66'
N8 8 Ireland John Muldoon (c)
OF 7 New Zealand Jake Heenan Substituted off 56'
BF 6 Ireland Seán O'Brien
RL 5 England James Cannon Substituted off 51'
LL 4 Ireland Quinn Roux
TP 3 Ireland Finlay Bealham Substituted off 68'
HK 2 Ireland Dave Heffernan
LP 1 Ireland Denis Buckley
Replacements:
HK 16 Ireland Shane Delahunt
PR 17 Ireland JP Cooney
PR 18 Ireland Conor Carey Substituted in 68'
LK 19 Ireland Ultan Dillane Substituted in 51'
FL 20 Fiji Naulia Dawai Substituted in 56'
SH 21 Ireland Caolin Blade
SH 22 Ireland John Cooney Substituted in 66'
WG 23 Ireland Matt Healy Substituted in 3'
Coach:
Samoa Pat Lam

Notes[]

  1. ^ New Zealand-born and qualified for Samoa, Lam has represented both countries, but last played rugby for Samoa.

References[]

  1. ^ "My job in Connacht: Andre Bell, Backs & kicking coach". Irish Independent. 6 February 2015. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  2. ^ "Connacht suffer major blow as backs coach Bell opts to return to New Zealand". Irish Independent. 9 June 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  3. ^ "Carr and Muldowney among players leaving Connacht at end of season". The42. 4 April 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  4. ^ "A new seated stand is in place at the Sportsground for Connacht's upcoming season". The42. 31 August 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  5. ^ "Connacht appoint Willie Ruane as new CEO". Irish Independent. 8 May 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  6. ^ "Connacht confirm new three-year contract for head coach Pat Lam". Sky Sports. 21 January 2015. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  7. ^ "'I just came over here to visit my brother and I never left'". Irish Independent. 16 January 2015. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  8. ^ "Jimmy Duffy is new Connacht forwards coach". RTÉ Sport. 9 June 2015. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  9. ^ a b c "Conor McPhilips to replace Andre Bell as Connacht backs' coach". Irish Times. 8 June 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  10. ^ a b c "Former Irish international added to the Connacht coaching ticket for the remainder of the season". The42. 28 December 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  11. ^ "New Head Of Fitness And Increased Funding For Connacht". Irish Rugby. 19 May 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  12. ^ "Coach Profiles: Nigel Carolan". Irish Rugby. Archived from the original on 5 May 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  13. ^ "Injury-ravaged Connacht make 4 changes ahead of meeting with table toppers Munster". The42. 30 December 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2017. New recruit John Andress is named on the bench after the prop agreed a short-term contract, as Lam trues to manage numerous injury setbacks to his squad.
  14. ^ "Connacht sign Nottingham prop Conor Carey". Nottingham Rugby. 7 March 2016. Archived from the original on 26 October 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  15. ^ a b "Connacht add three to senior squad amidst injury crisis". Newstalk. 10 January 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
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