Frawley's debut try seals bonus-point win for Connacht

United Rugby Championship

Benetton 19 (12)

Tries: Bernasconi 2, Marin Cons: Umaga 2

Connacht 22 (17)

Tries: Prendergast, O’Brien, Frawley 2 Con: Gilbert

Connacht secured their first win of the season thanks to a late winner from debutant Ciaran Frawley against Benetton in Treviso.

The game started with fast attacking play and plenty of scores with five tries in the opening half.

In the second half, Connacht struggled early on in a physical battle against the brilliant Benetton forwards before a late winner from the Ireland international sealed a bonus-point win.

Cian Prendergast opened the scoring after five minutes after he latched onto a quick pass from Sean Jansen out of a ruck to cross the line for his first try of the season on his first start.

However, Benetton replied almost instantly through Bautista Bernesconi after the front-row forward levelled from a maul.

Sean O’Brien continued the free-flowing start to the game 17 minutes in with a well-worked try after smart play from Francois van Wyk and debutant Frawley.

Following the high-scoring opening quarter of the game, the following 20 minutes were tight as Connacht showed improvement from the scrum performance against Stormers in their opening loss.

The half came alive once again with five minutes to go until half-time as Leonardo Marin and Frawley traded converted tries to leave five points between the sides at the break.

Wayne Pivac’s side started the second half brightly with Brenseconi scoring his second try of the game after more impressive forward play from the Italians to put the hosts in front once more.

However, Connacht got the winning try that their play deserved in the 77th minute when Frawley found space down the left wing to cross over to seal the bonus-point win and complete a dream debut for the Ireland international.

Line-ups

Benetton: Gallagher; Ratave, Lynagh; Odogwu, Marin; Umaga, Garbisi; Medrano, Bernasconi, Ferrari; Cannone, Ruzza; Marini, Favretto, Lamaro

Replacements: Maile, Spagnolo, Pasquali, Fa’aso’o, Miranda, Uren, Smith, Mendy

Connacht: Gilbert; Hansen, Treacy; Devine, Forde; Frawley, Blade; van Wyk, Victory, Bealham; Murray, Murphy; Prendergast, Jansen, O’Brien

Replacements: de Buitlear, Bohan, Illo, Murray, Boyle, Reilly, Ioane, Jennings