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Connacht secured a dramatic 22-19 United Rugby Championship win over Benetton in Treviso, with Ciarán Frawley scoring two tries on debut.
Connacht secured a dramatic 22-19 victory over Benetton in the United Rugby Championship at Stadio Comunale di Monigo in Treviso on Saturday. Ciarán Frawley marked his debut with two stunning tries, including the match-winner at the death, as Connacht rode their luck but dug deep to claim a huge win for head coach Stuart Lancaster’s gritty team.
Frawley Shines on Debut in Treviso
The match kicked off at 8.45pm local time in 19-degree heat, with both sets of fans filling the picturesque ground despite construction of a new stand at one end. Connacht started brightly, with quick lineouts and launch plays creating early chances. Frawley’s first touch nearly resulted in a 50:22, but Jacob Umaga kept the ball infield. Connacht soon struck off a lineout move, with Cathal Forde trucking up and Sean Jansen linking for Cian Prendergast to bump and swivel out of tackles by Umaga and Onisi Ratave to score. Sam Gilbert missed the conversion.
Benetton Battle Back with Maul Tries
Connacht’s scrum struggled, conceding penalties that led to a maul try for Bautista Bernasconi. Connacht responded swiftly, with Gilbert and Mack Hansen counter-attacking before Frawley’s no-look offload sent Francois van Wyk away, and Sean O’Brien picked up to score. Gilbert missed another kickable conversion. Benetton then struck from a lineout inside their own half, Alessandro Garbisi working a wrap and linking with Matt Gallagher, who splintered the defence to send Leonardo Marin away for a 40-metre finish. Umaga converted for the lead. A 50:22 by Finn Treacy led to another try off a lineout, with Blade wrapping around Forde to link with Frawley, who sped through a gap to score. Gilbert converted, but Connacht finished the half with 14 men after Finlay Bealham was yellow-carded for a clash of heads with Bernasconi.
Second-Half Drama and Late Winning Try
Early in the second half, John Devine was harshly penalised for side entry, and the ensuing penalty to the corner led to another maul try for Bernasconi, with Umaga’s conversion putting Benetton 19-17 up. Connacht survived two scrum penalties and a host of resets, with Frawley and Paul Boyle holding up Marin over the line. A big scrum by Billy Bohan, Sam Illo and others, plus a brilliant tackle by Devine on Michele Lamaro, forced a turnover. Connacht’s replacements made a significant impact, none more so than hooker Eoin de Buitlear. Although it looked like their last chance was gone when he was tackled wide out and Mirco Spagnolo won a turnover penalty, Gilbert cleared from inside his 22, the ball found grass and bounced high for Shane Jennings to jump, gather and offload inside for Gilbert. Connacht went wide off the recycle for de Buitlear to glide past one defender and link with Frawley, who showed real strength in fending the last tackler and score. Gilbert missed another kickable conversion but atoned with a thumping hit on Odogwu which forced a spillage, allowing Connacht to run down the clock and Colm O’Reilly to kick the ball dead.
Context and Significance of the Win
Rugby in Treviso operates in a bubble within the bubble of Italian rugby, and this win is a significant boost for Connacht’s URC campaign. The match was played in a helter-skelter manner, with neither side inclined to pause for breath. Benetton, a stacked side, threw everything at Connacht, but Lancaster’s team showed remarkable resilience and opportunism. Frawley’s debut performance will be remembered for his two tries, while the replacements, particularly de Buitlear, played a crucial role in the comeback. The victory highlights Connacht’s depth and character as they continue their United Rugby Championship journey.
Connacht Benetton Ciarán Frawley United Rugby Championship Stuart Lancaster Treviso Stadio Comunale Di Monigo
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