Connacht narrowly lose pre-season try-fest

Narbonne 35 Connacht 29

Connacht ran in five tries during a useful pre-season clash with Narbonne at Parc des Sports et de L’Amitie on tonight.

The game was a good workout for Michael Bradley’s men who rested several of the players who were with the Irish squad in Spala.

Prop Brett Wilkinson and hooker Adrian Flavin made their debuts for Connacht, while so too did Andrew Browne of Galwegians.

The Irish U19 star followed in the foot-steps of older brother Damien when he made his first appearance for the Connacht senior side when he was introduced for the final quarter.

It was an encouraging display from Connacht who led 19-14 at the interval.

Winger Daniel Riordan got Connacht’s first try after five minutes while Paul Warwick, playing at outside centre, ran in two tries.

The first came after 15 minutes and then the try of the match eleven minutes from the interval when quick lineout ball on the Connacht 22 saw him break from his own ten metres line on a diagonal run which broke the home cover.

Narbonne, who open their French Top 14 campaign against Montauban next week, scored first-half tries from Henk Heksteen and Chris Labit.

Matt Mostyn extended Connacht’s lead with their fourth try five minutes after the restart but Narbonne hit back with three tries, one each from Vincent Noutary and Christopher Ruiz and a penalty try which was to prove decisive.

Matt Lacey ensured it finished five tries apiece with a good score eleven minutes from time but Narbonne held on for victory at the end of a competitive game that will have helped both sides for the season ahead.

Connacht: M Mostyn; K Matthews, P Warwick, G Williams, D Riordan; M McHugh, C O’Loughlin; B Wilkinson, A Flavin, S Knoop; D Gannon, A Farley; B O’Connor, M Lacey, C Rigney.

Replacements: M Diffley for Wilkinson, half-time; J Fogarty for Flavin, 53 mins; R Loughney for Knoop, 53 mins; T Tierney for O’Loughlin, 60 mins; D Slemen for McHugh, 60 mins; J Hearty for Warwick, 60 mins; A Browne for Gannon, 60 mins.

Narbonne: N Nadau; PA Negre-Gauthier, V Noutary, O Bennasis, J Candelon; C Rosalen, L Balue; R Palomera, T Algret, L Ducalon; L Michaux, H Heksteen; JM Bisaro, G Taussac, C Labit.

Replacements: F Rofes, B Mololo, A Martinez, B Beau, J Seron, C Ruiz, T Van Resburg.