Connacht suffered a 41-14 defeat to Edinburgh at Murrayfield on Friday night. Richard Cockerill’s side were far superior to Andy Friend’s side as the score suggests.
Connacht were dealt a massive blow early on when Finlay Bealham had to be stretchered off in what looked a serious injury. He was replaced by Dominic Robertson McCoy with 4 minutes on the clock. Simon Hickey landed two penalties to give Edinburgh the lead. The hosts were then awarded a penalty try after Matt Scott broke but a high tackle on him just before the try line therefore meant a penalty try was awarded. A double whammy for Connacht as Jack Carty was sin-binned. Edinburgh took advantage of the extra man. Simon Berghan going over from close range to get a try. Connacht did respond though as Tiernan O’Halloran powered over to cut the gap before the break.
Úd #5 faighte ag @EdinburghRugby. An mbeidh @connachtrugby in ann rudaí a chasadh timpeall roimh an chéad chluiche eile?
Disappointing night for Connacht tonight losing to Edinburgh on a scoreline of 41-14.@PRO14Official #EDIvCON #RugbaíBEO pic.twitter.com/UF90W2CEml
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) February 21, 2020
O’Halloran was once again on the scoreboard from a try on the resumption. It was also converted. Edinburgh hit back with a nice try from Pierre Schoeman, before Van Der Merwe went over to extend the lead in a sparse crowd at Murrayfield. The bonus point all wrapped up. There was still time for more tries though. Nick Haining and Eroni Sau were both given yellow cards for Edinburgh, as were Conor Fitzgerald and Eoghan Masterson for Connacht. Edinburgh had the final say with second penalty try of the game to claim a 27 point win.
