Connacht signed off on the Andy Friend era at the Sportsground with a double score win over Cardiff which keeps them on course for a knockout spot in the URC and possible qualification for next season’s Champions Cup.

Tries from Diarmuid Kilgallen, Dylan Tierney-Martin, Conor Oliver, Mack Hansen and Kieran Marmion enabled the home side to consolidate sixth place. Cardiff flanker Thomas Young scored two tries with Seb Davies also crossing.

Bundee Aki showed a timely return to form to inspire them to an impressive win in Friend's final match at the Sportsground after five years in charge.

Connacht had wrapped up the bonus point by half-time, ending any hopes of Welsh representation in the URC play-offs.

In contrast, all four Irish provinces have qualified with Connacht celebrating a sixth successive league victory.

Kilgallen crossed for the opening try after 12 minutes following a break from fly-half Jack Carty.

Things got worse for Cardiff as Wales flanker James Botham was sin-binned for a high tackle on Conor Oliver a few minutes later.

Almost immediately, Connacht extended their lead, with Tierney-Martin in place to profit from a driving lineout.

Oliver latched onto Caolin Blade's offload from close range to register Connacht's third try, before Cardiff hit back with their first score just after the half-hour mark as Davies forced his way over the line.

However, Connacht would have the final say of the half as Hansen sliced through the Cardiff defence four minutes before the break.

Cardiff opened the scoring in the second-half, with Young scoring from a driving maul.

There were concerning scenes around the hour mark as Lane left the field receiving oxygen after being caught in the head by Hansen's knee while the Ireland wing jumped to claim a high ball.

As the match entered the final stages, Connacht turned to the maul for their fifth score - with the referee awarding a penalty try and sending Young to the sin-bin quarter of an hour from time.

Five minutes before the end, Connacht replacement scrum-half Marmion squeezed over in the corner to complete the rout - with Cardiff's play-off hopes having been extinguished long before. Young got over for a second as the clock went red but it was little more than a consolation.