| Edinburgh (14) 26 |
| Tries: Groom, Willemse 2, Davidson Cons: Van der Walt 3 |
| Connacht (23) 37 |
| Tries: Blade, Arnold, Wootton 2, O’Halloran, Delahunt Cons: Daly 3 Pens: Fitzgerald, Daly |
Connacht inflicted Edinburgh’s third Pro14 defeat of the season with a bonus-point victory at Murrayfield.
Caolin Blade and Sam Arnold crossed for the visitors after Nic Groom had opened for Edinburgh and Alex Wootton sped clear for Connacht’s third try.
Michael Willemse replied with two tries but Wootton went over again and Shane Delahunt also registered for the Irish province.
Andrew Davidson’s try secured a losing bonus point for Edinburgh.
Richard Cockerill’s Edinburgh visit Scarlets next Sunday when Andy Friend’s Connacht are at home to Benetton.
With 17 players unavailable because of injury or international selection, Cockerill fielded a largely inexperienced Edinburgh side, while Friend gave first starts to six players.
Conor Fitzgerald knocked over an early penalty but it was the home side that got the first try when Groom broke off a ruck to touch down. Jaco van der Walt converted.
The lead changed hands again when Blade chased his own grubber kick and dived on the ball and Arnold got the bounce of the ball in the right corner for his score. Fitzgerald was unable to convert either try.
Edinburgh were the architects of their own downfall at Connacht’s third try as they gave up possession at a lineout and within seconds John Porch unloaded for Wootton to race clear. Tom Daly converted.
Eroni Sau thought he had reduced the hosts’ arrears but, on review, referee Adam Jones spotted an infringement at the set piece that preceded the move. Daly then added a penalty for Connacht.
But Edinburgh did get their second try when Willemse grounded at the back of a rolling maul. Van der Walt added the extras.
The home pack excelled again for Willemse’s second try in the right corner in the second half but Van der Walt’s kick was wide.
And Wootton gave Connacht comfort with his second try as he retrieved his own kick to score before Robb added another two points.
Blade offloaded for Delahunt after another forceful advance from the visitors and Daly continued his 100% record with the boot.
Connacht came under pressure again and Davidson touched down. Van der Walt reduced Edinburgh’s deficit to 11 points with the conversion but that was as close as they would get.
Edinburgh: Blain, Sau, Johnstone, Dean, Farndale, Van Der Walt, Groom, Schoeman, Willemse, Nel, Carmichael, Davidson, Bradbury, Miller, Kunavula.
Replacements: Taylor for Dean (64), Pyrgos for Groom (55), Bhattie for Schoeman (71), Cherry for Willemse (62), McCallum for Nel (55), Hodgson for Carmichael (71), Boyle for Miller (65). Not Used: Chamberlain
Connacht: Porch, Arnold, Farrell, Daly, Wootton, C. Fitzgerald, Blade, Buckley, Delahunt, Aungier, Masteron, Thornbury, Boyle, Butler, Papali’i.
Replacements: O’Halloran for Arnold (21), Robb for C. Fitzgerald (27), Reilly for Blade (72), McAllister for Buckley (52), Murphy for Delahunt (68), Robertson-McCoy for Aungier (52), Prendergast for Thornbury (72), Oliver for Papali’i (52).
