The encounter was a showcase of end-to-end rugby, with both teams exchanging blows throughout. Bristol’s clinical attack saw them secure a hard-fought win, but Connacht demonstrated immense resilience, keeping the contest alive until the dying moments. The second half wasn’t as intense due to all the substitutions.

First Half: Electric Start, Momentum Shifts

Bristol wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, with James Williams crossing for an early try just two minutes in, converted by AJ MacGinty. Connacht responded swiftly with Andrew Smith charging over the whitewash in the 5th minute, with Josh Ioane adding the extras to level the game. Smith, a standout performer for Connacht, added his second try in the 21st minute, showcasing his blistering pace and eye for the try line.

Bristol’s Harry Randall was instrumental in the first half, punishing Connacht with a sharp interception and a cheeky dummy to bag two tries in quick succession (18’ and 27’). Ioane, however, kept Connacht in touch with a flawless kicking display, converting all of Connacht’s first-half tries, including a late try from Niall Murray after a period of sustained pressure.

At halftime, the scoreboard read **Bristol Bears 24-21 Connacht**, with both teams evenly matched in what was shaping up to be a high-scoring affair.

Second Half: Substitutions and Drama

The second half began with both teams rotating their lineups, bringing on fresh legs and nearly fielding completely different sides. Bristol capitalised first as Benhard Janse van Rensburg sliced through Connacht’s defense to score their fifth try of the evening in the 51st minute, with MacGinty converting to extend their lead to 31-21.

"Pre-season has been brilliant and we've had four good wins. That was the toughest game so far and we're ready to go for @premrugby now."

Hear from DOR Pat Lam after today's pre-season victory over Connacht at the HPC pic.twitter.com/9x9Warzzpu

— Bristol Bears (@BristolBears) September 13, 2024

Connacht, undeterred, responded with Fiachna Barrett crashing over in the 68th minute following a long spell of pressure, narrowing the gap to just three points after Ioane added the conversion. Moments later, Connacht seized the lead for the first time in the match when another try scored by Paul Boyle was converted, taking them ahead 35-31 with just seven minutes remaining.

However, Bristol had the final say. Rich Lane darted over for a try in the 75th minute, and the successful conversion restored the Bears’ advantage at 38-35. Despite late efforts, Connacht couldn’t muster another score, and the match concluded with Bristol narrowly coming out on top.

Final Thoughts: Promising Signs for Connacht

Despite the loss, Connacht will take plenty of positives from the performance, particularly their fighting spirit and attacking prowess. Andrew Smith was electric, and Josh Ioane’s accuracy with the boot was flawless throughout. But most importantly it seen the comeback of Mack Hansen who had been out injured since January. With the URC season opener against Munster next weekend, Connacht will look to fine-tune their defense and build on the strong attacking foundations laid in this preseason encounter.

Match Scorers:

**Bristol Bears:**
– **James Williams** (Try, 2’)
– **Harry Randall** (Tries, 18’, 27’)
– **Harry Thacker** (Try, 33’)
– **Benhard Janse van Rensburg** (Try, 51’)
– **Rich Lane** (Try, 75’)
– **AJ MacGinty** (Conversions, 2’, 18’, 51’, )

**Connacht Rugby:**
– **Andrew Smith** (Tries, 5’, 21’)
– **Niall Murray** (Try, 36’)
– **Fiachna Barrett** (Try, 68’)
– ** Paul Boyle** (Try, 72)
– **Conversions** – Josh Ioane (5’, 21’, 36’, ?, ?

**Starting XV**
(15-9): Mack Hansen, Shane Jennings, Piers O’Conor, Hugh Gavin, Andrew Smith, Josh Ioane, Caolin Blade
(1-8): Peter Dooley, Dave Heffernan, Sam Illo, Oisin Dowling, Niall Murray, Josh Murphy, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Cian Prendergast (C)

**Replacements**:
Denis Buckley, Eoin de Buitlear, Fiachna Barrett, Darragh Murray, David O’Connor, Paul Boyle, Conor Oliver, Sean Jansen, Ben Murphy, Sean Naughton, David Hawkshaw, Byron Ralston, Finn Treacy

Connacht’s focus now shifts to the highly anticipated clash with Munster, as they kick off the new URC season next weekend.

The post Match Report: Bristol Bears 38-35 Connacht Rugby – Mack is back appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Click below for video for full interview with Sam Pigg and Stephen Murphy

Moving to the senior squad

Asked about how has been signing to the Connacht senior squad from the Academy he said, “I am blessed, my path has been clear sailing, I have been lucky enough to get five caps, I couldn’t have asked for an easier start, to be honest”. He was also what was it like to have the season interrupted by COVID 19, he said, “There is nothing we can do really, it’s not in our hands anymore”. It was unfortunate because I was on a good run”. However, Murray revealed in a way it was kind of fortunate in a way. He revealed he pulled his hamstring a day before the country was put into lockdown. He said lockdown meant he was able to recover from injury.

Gaining weight 

Niall stated that he needed to gain weight as he was only 102kg. He said, he put on 10kg in the 3 months of lockdown. Asked on day to day interactions during lockdown with squad he said “I was with the Academy so we kept in touch over Zoom”. He revealed he a full week of Zoom, with Monday and Thursday with the physios and Tuesday and Friday with various coaches.

Andy Friend 

Murray was also asked about his initial thoughts on Connacht head coach Andy Friend, in which he said, “He is 100%, he is a great manager, he would tell you face to face if you aren’t playing well”. He continued, “He is very honest, he integrates players as well which wasn’t been done before so it’s great for us”. Stephen asked what kind of areas can you bring to the game and what are your biggest strengths? Murray said “The lineout to be honest, I would like to bring that to the table”. Asked on what he is looking for in the lineout, He said you do your homework, you learn the lineout of the other team”.

Childhood 

Murray was also asked his childhood sports. He said, I used to swim and played gaelic and soccer up till I was 16. “I only joined rugby when I was 16 or 17, I would back myself as a pretty skillful person thanks to playing gaelic and soccer”. Murray who played at minor level for Roscommon was asked jokingly who was the best county minor you or Jack Carty which Murray replied, “I am backing myself all the way here”.

Sporting Heroes

When asked his sporting heroes growing up Murray said, “Obviously Paul O’Connell and Brian O’Driscoll. In terms of Connacht he said when he was coming at U17’s he would of watched Andrew Browne a lot. “I started modelling a lot of what he done on the pitch”. He continued, Andrew Browne was one the local lads I looked up to. Asked on what struggled with in terms of his skills, he said, “Probably scrummaging, my tackling was good”.

A late start to rugby career 

Stephen asked how was the experience of coming in at 17 playing rugby to going on winning a Six Nations Grand Slam two or three years later? Murray said that “It was a rollercoaster”. He continued, “The whole Six Nations was a massive high, winning the Six Nations was probably the best feeling I ever had”. However, he revealed the World Cup was “a massive low” because he didn’t start one game. He said he was disappointed in himself not been able to start one of those games.

Upcoming interpros

The final part of the interview focused on how Connacht are setting up for interpro games in the next couple of weeks. Murray said the competitiveness in the squad is up there with the best I’ve ever seen. “The mood in camp is great at the moment, it’s a great place to be”.

SportsNewsIreland is proud to have a player sponsorship agreement with Niall Murray for 2019/20 season.

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