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Ospreys Overturn 21-0 Deficit to Edge Connacht in Challenge Cup Opener

Connacht's late indiscipline cost them control of a European opener they had led by three converted tries.

Overview

  • Connacht surged 21-0 up inside 23 minutes through tries by Finlay Bealham, Sean Jansen and Jack Aungier, all converted by Sean Naughton.
  • That early dominance followed yellow cards for Ospreys forwards James Ratti and Garyn Phillips, which handed the visitors control of territory and scrums.
  • Harri Deaves pulled one back before the break, then Phil Cokanasiga and Ryan Smith crossed as Dan Edwards trimmed the deficit to two.
  • With loose-head Denis Buckley in the bin and front-row cover exhausted, Connacht went to passive scrums and finished a spell with 13 on the field.
  • Naughton missed a late penalty before Iestyn Hopkins scored on 74 minutes to clinch a 24-21 home win in wet, windy Bridgend under referee Evan Urruzmendi.