Connacht go down to Narbonne

Narbonne 42, Connacht 27 (full-time)

Connacht played some good rugby but conceded soft tries saw them go down by 15 points in the Parker Pen Challenge Cup first leg tie at Parc des Sports et de L'Amitie in Narbonne.

Connacht will now have to bridge the gap when they play the second leg at Corinthian Park next Sunday but there was enough evidence to suggest Steph Nel's men can do just that.

Conditions were ideal for the game with Connacht making five changes from that which played against Munster in the Celtic League quarter-final at the weekend.

Hooker Marnus Uijs was ruled out through injury with Jerry Flannery coming into the side.

There were two changes in the back row with Eric Peters starting at No 8 and Michael Swift coming in at blindside flanker.

Wayne Munn returned to the side on the left-wing, while Eoin Reddan started at scrum-half for this clash.

Narbonne led 22-10 at the break with the home side scoring two converted tries just before the break.

They opened the scoring with a try after six minutes from full-back Pascal Bazini but Connacht hit back with a penalty from Eric Elwood 12 minutes later.

His counterpart Jerome Gendre did likewise for Narbonne before Mark McHugh got in for a try after 22 minutes following a chip from Shane Moore.

Elwood added the points to edge Connacht 10-8 in front.

But then in the run-up to half-time Narbonne broke for two tries with Bazini getting his second and left-winger Gregory Tutard also crossing before the break.

Gendre added another penalty after the restart before Connacht hit back with a superb try from Wayne Munn after 48 minutes. Elwood added the points before Narbonne replied with a penalty and a third try from full-back Bazini.

Connacht hit back with Munn getting his second try of the night. Elwood added the points to leave eight between them but then in the fifth minute of stoppage time Xavier Guillemet got another try for Narbonne to give them a flattering lead going into the second leg.