Overview
- Connacht surged to a 21-0 first-half lead through tries by Finlay Bealham, Sean Jansen and Jack Aungier, all converted by Sean Naughton.
- Ospreys played much of the first half under strain after yellow cards to James Ratti and Garyn Phillips, yet Harri Deaves pulled back a try before the interval.
- Phil Cokanasiga’s converted score sparked the second-half revival, and Dan Edwards added the extras after Ryan Smith’s try to cut the margin to two.
- With Connacht down a prop to the sin bin and forced into passive scrums, Iestyn Hopkins crossed late for the match-winner after Naughton missed a penalty that could have stretched the lead.
- Driving wind and rain shaped tactics throughout, and referee Evan Urruzmendi’s calls framed a tense finish as Ospreys opened their pool campaign with a comeback victory.