Details

Date Time Competition Season
4 March 2022 7:35 pm United Rugby Championship 2021/22

Match Report

Edinburgh grab bonus point win over Connacht

Edinburgh delivered a strong win over Connacht in a home game which saw them dominate possession.

With Edinburgh’s unbeaten track record at home they came into the game in good form looking to end their series of losses.

Connacht’s possession at the start of the 80 minutes put a penalty on the board and the first try of the game from the visitors.

However Edinburgh soon settled in and dominated play. Some great hands from Muncaster and Kinghorn and easy runs from the wings saw the tries build up for Edinburgh, with Boffs steady foot racking up the points. Despite the visitors aggressive defence the bonus point came just five minutes into the second half.

The home team continued to widen the gap, hitting the the 50 point mark with still time to play.

In a game that showcased the best of Edinburgh’s skills, the home team racked up the points against Connacht securing a bonus point win.

Edinburgh came into the game looking for a win at home, off the back of their three losses against Ospreys, Leinster and Munster, respectively.

However it was Connacht who had the upper hand at the get-go, quickly getting 3 points from a penalty kick by Jack Carty. A set piece from Connacht saw them quickly in Edinburgh’s 22, but they were held up by a strong defence.

A high tackle and subsequent yellow card for Kunavula saw Edinburgh down to 14 players but they done well to get inside the visitors 22. However a clever kick from Jack Carty made use of the space and saw the visitors side play a series of phases that just fell short, resulting in a turnover.

Some goods hands from Edinburgh’s backline saw a pass out to Young and the home team’s first encounter in Connacht’s territory. Muncaster and Young made a series of breaks proving a strong attack for the 15-man team after the return of Kunavula from the sidelines.

With both sides attacking strongly, Connacht showed their determination to make it three wins from there last three games. A break from Prendergast saw Connacht back comfortably near the line. Following an easy set play the backline drew in Boffelli and Immelmann, leaving the corner free for O’Sullivan to step into, putting the first try on the board at 23 minutes in.

A missed conversion from Carty proved the last of Connacht’s domination as Edinburgh reclaimed play with a strong lineout in the 22. Quick feet from Young saw a pass out to Kinghorn who made a break, offloading for a successful Bofelli try. In a back to back try Immelmann crossed over the line after a brilliant break from Conor Boyle.

The first half closed out with a successful maul and a try from Dave Cherry on his 50th appearance. Edinburgh remained on top into the second half with quick hands and quicker feet which saw a break from Kinghorn just a minute in. A flat pass from Muncaster saw Kinghorn cross the line under the posts, securing the bonus point. Bofelli kicked the conversion steady once again, racking on the points.

While Connacht held their defence, play didn’t move from the visitors 22’ and it wasn’t long until Immellman added 5 points after a pass from Oliver off the scrum. Despite some promising breaks from Connacht there was no stopping the home team and Moyano was next to get over the line.As Connacht turned over possession, a series of penalties saw the ball through the quick hands of Cherry and Vellacott leaving Immelmann just short of the line. Two more tries for the home team and Chris Young will be happy with his 3 from 3 tries on home turf.

As Edinburgh widened their lead, replacements Rudi Brown and Jamie Campbell made their debuts for the team. Despite the change in pack Edinburgh maintained their position in the visitors 22. After a series of quiet phases a flat pass from Kinghorn saw a break of play from Chris Dean who sent Vellacott straight through the posts, ending the game just under a 50 point lead and ending Edinburgh's URC losing streak.

Edinburgh

15Henry Immelman Full-Back 32', 59'
14Ramiro Moyano Winger 50'
13James Lang Centre
12Chris Dean Centre
11Emiliano Boffelli Winger 29'
29', 33', 39', 42', 51', 60', 68', 75'
10Blair Kinghorn Back 41'
9Henry Pyrgos Scrum-Half
1Boan Venter Prop
2David Cherry Hooker 38'
3Angus Williams Prop
4Pierce Philips
5Glen Young 19 Lock 68'
6Ben Muncaster Flanker
7Connor Boyle Flanker
8Mesulame Kunavula Back 7.30'
16Adam McBurney Hooker
17Harrison Courtney
18Lee-Roy Atalifo Forward
18Lee Roy Atalifo Prop
19Jamie Campbell 5 Forward
20Rudi Brown Forward
21Ben Vellacott Scrum-Half 73'
22Jaco Van Der Walt Fly-Half
23Matthew Currie Centre

Connacht

15John Porch Winger
14Peter Sullivan Winger 23'
13Sam Arnold Centre
12Tom Daly Centre
11Alex Wootton 22 Winger
10Jack Carty Fly-Half 11'
9Caolin Blade 21 Scrum-Half
1Jordan Duggan Prop
2Dave Heffernan 16 Hooker
3Jack Aungier Prop
4Oisin Dowling Flanker
5Salesi Fifita 19 Lock
6Cian Prendergast Lock
7Conor Oliver Flanker
8Paul Boyle Flanker
16Shane Delahunt 2 Hooker
17Tietie Tuimauga Prop
18Dominic Robertson-McCoy Prop
19Niall Murray 5 Lock
20Abraham Papali’i No. 8
21Kieran Marmion 9 Scrum-Half
22Tom Farrell 11 Centre
23Jarrad Butler No. 8

Past Meetings

(Round 15)
14 - 15
PRO14
Dexcom Stadium

Connacht v Edinburgh

(Round 3)
26 - 37
PRO14
Murrayfield Stadium

Edinburgh vs Connacht

Ground

Murrayfield Stadium
Murrayfield, Edinburgh, Scotland