Overview

• Connacht opened the URC with a 26-15 home victory at Dexcom Stadium, securing the four-try bonus point late on.
• Tries came from Josh Ioane, Sean Naughton, Dylan Tierney-Martin and Sean Jansen, with Cathal Forde adding three conversions.
• Disciplinary calls shaped the contest as Malakai Fekitoa, Chay Mullins and Michele Lamaro were sin-binned following TMO reviews, and Onisi Ratave had a finish ruled out for touch.
• Benetton lost prop Ivan Nemer to an early injury, Ioane departed after a collision, and multiple HIAs underscored a physical opener.
• Caolin Blade directed play with key interventions, Naughton scored on his first senior start, and replacement prop Fiachna Barrett had a debut try chalked off before Connacht closed out the bonus point.