Connacht end Celtic League with defeat to Dragons

Newport Gwent Dragons 24 Connacht 19

The Dragons ended the season with a flourish and a bonus-point victory which also did their big Welsh rivals Cardiff Blues a massive favour.

Victory for Newport Gwent handed the Blues a Heineken Cup play-off against the third- placed Italian team, probably Calvisano, in Italy at the end of next month.

At the same time the Dragons earned themselves a home draw in the Celtic Cup competition, which starts in a fortnight, and denied Connacht a chance of a Heineken Cup play-off – which now goes to Cardiff.

The Dragons’ hero was Wales full-back Kevin Morgan, who romped over for two tries to take his total for the season to 17 for Wales and the Dragons – a personal record.

And it was a triumphant final league appearance for prop Rod Snow, who is ending a great 10-year career at Rodney Parade.

The Dragons made an electric start with a record-breaking in just 45 seconds by skipper Jason Forster after Connacht centre Mark McHugh dropped the ball from the kick-off.

Connacht number eight John O’Sullivan replied with a try but winger Ben Breeze replied with another before Morgan’s double sealed Connacht’s fate.

However, the Irish side gave the Blues, their European rivals, a late scare when they scored two tries at each end of injury-time through Bernard Jackman and Michael Swift but it was just too late.