Warwick impresses as Connacht command lead at half time

Half time - CONNACHT (11) 29 NARBONNE (25) 7, The Sportsground, 2.30pm

A dream first half from fly-half Paul Warwick has seen Connacht take a 29-7 lead into the break of their European Challenge Cup first round second leg meeting with Narbonne at the Sportsground.

Michael Bradley's side lead 40-32 on aggregate over the French side after Australian Warwick notched 24 points in an impressive first 40 minutes.

With Narbonne hooker Fabien Rofes sin-binned for a punch midway through the half, Connacht put 14 unanswered points on the visitors with both Warwick and left wing Conor McPhillips crossing the whitewash.

Frederic Lartigue was sent over by centre Davide Douy on 36 minutes to keep Connacht in check, but although Laurent Ferreres converting Narbonne's only try, Warwick crowned a great effort from the westerners with an injury time drop goal.

Connacht: M McHugh; M Mostyn, D Yapp, J Downey, C McPhillips; P Warwick, C Keane; R Hogan, B Jackman, S Knoop, A Farley (Capt), C Short, M Swift, M Lacey, J Muldoon.

Replacements: J Fogarty, D McFarland, M Carroll, P Neville, C O’Loughlin, E Elwood, T Robinson.

Narbonne: L Ferreres; F Lartigue, JP Viard, D Douy, J Candelon; N Nadau, J Seron; M Bigou, F Rofes, L Martine, M Sierra, P Short, D Hunter, JM Bisaro (Capt), B Bedes.

Replacements: R Palomera, L Zanini, M Dehaese, S Barthes, L Baluc-Rittener, M Siro, PO Julien.

Subs used: L Zanini for Hunter (24-36 mins)

Scorers:

Connacht: Tries: Warwick, McPhillips; Cons: Warwick 2; Pens: Warwick 4; Drop gl: Warwick

Narbonne: Try: Lartigue; Con: Ferreres

Referee: Sean Davey (England)