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Connacht v Cardiff: Challenge Cup Last 16 Preview, Prediction, Team News & Key Stats

JoeNa Connacht — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 15:44:22 +0000

Preview: Connacht Rugby v Cardiff Rugby — EPCR Challenge Cup Last 16

The knockout stages of the EPCR Challenge Cup arrive this weekend, with Connacht Rugby welcoming Cardiff Rugby to The Sportsground on Saturday night (8pm). For Connacht, this is now their biggest game of the season after their URC play-off hopes were dashed. For Cardiff, it’s a chance to rescue a difficult year and cause an upset on the road.

Form Guide

Connacht suffered a disappointing 24-30 URC defeat to Munster last weekend in Castlebar, a result that officially ended their play-off ambitions. However, they dominated the pool stages of the Challenge Cup, winning all four matches, including a 28-19 away win over Cardiff in Round 4.

Cardiff, meanwhile, arrive in Galway after a narrow 20-19 defeat to Benetton Rugby in Italy last weekend. They qualified for the knockouts as the 16th seed, with just one win in the pool stages, but will take confidence from how close they pushed Connacht earlier this season. They were having an injury crisis at the time and should be stronger on Saturday.

Previous Meeting

The sides last met in Round 4 of the Challenge Cup pool stages, where Connacht emerged with a 28-19 victory at Cardiff Arms Park.

Head-to-Head Europe Averages 2024/25

Category	Connacht Rugby	Cardiff Rugby
Tries	6.2	3.2
Points	38.5	22.8
Passes	172.8	123
Kicks in Play	18.8	20
Carries	144	110.5
Metres	518.2	351.8
Defenders Beaten	28.8	17.8
Clean Breaks	9.5	8.8
Offloads	7.8	6.2
Penalties Conceded	10.8	10.5
Yellow Cards	0.5	0
Missed Tackles	27	19.2
Turnovers Won	4.5	8.8
Lineout Success %	91.5%	79%
Scrum Success %	91.7%	91.7%

Top Performers In Europe This Season

Connacht Rugby

Top Points: Chay Mullins (20)
Top Metres: Santiago Cordero (326)
Top Carries: Santiago Cordero (50)
Top Tackles: Paul Boyle (44)
Top Tries: Chay Mullins (4)
Top Turnovers Won: Shamus Hurley-Langton, Josh Murphy (2 each)

Cardiff Rugby

Top Points: Josh Adams (15)
Top Metres: Josh Adams (120)
Top Carries: Alun Lawrence (35)
Top Tackles: Teddy Williams (68)
Top Tries: Josh Adams (3)
Top Turnovers Won: Rey Lee-Lo (5)

Predicted Team News

Connacht have to freshen up their line-up following the Munster defeat, handing starts to Shayne Bolton, Matthew Devine need to start, with JJ coming in at ten.

Predicted Connacht Rugby Starting XV

1. Jordan Duggan
2. Dave Heffernan
3. Finlay Bealham
4. Joe Joyce
5. Darragh Murray
6. Josh Murphy
7. Shamus Hurley-Langton
8. Sean Jansen
9. Matthew Devine
10. JJ Hanrahan
11. Finn Treacy
12. Bundee Aki
13. Hugh Gavin
14. Shayne Bolton
15. Mack Hansen

Replacements

16. Dylan Tierney-Martin
17. Denis Buckley
18. Jack Aungier
19. Niall Murray/ Oisin Dowling
20. Paul Boyle
21. Ben Murphy/Caolin Blade
22. Josh Ioane/Cathal Forde/David Hawkshaw
23. Piers O’Conor

What’s at Stake

Connacht enter as the No.1 seed after an unbeaten pool campaign. Victory will guarantee them a home quarter-final against either Racing 92 or Perpignan.

Cardiff, seeded 16th, will travel to Galway as underdogs but will look to make life uncomfortable for Connacht — as they did in the pool stages.

Match Facts

Connacht average the most carries (144) and metres (518.2) per game in the competition.
They also lead the tournament in successful 22m entries (9.5 per game).
Cardiff made the most tackles (646) in the pool stages and are one of only three sides yet to receive a card.
Cardiff’s Rey Lee-Lo leads the competition in turnovers won (5).

Verdict

The statistics heavily favour Connacht, who have been far more consistent and dynamic in attack this season. Cardiff’s defensive resilience and breakdown threat could trouble the hosts, but the quality and depth of Connacht’s squad — especially at home — should see them through.

Prediction: Connacht by 10+

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URC Dream Over — Connacht Must Shake Things Up for Challenge Cup Knockout Clash

JoeNa Connacht — Sun, 30 Mar 2025 17:57:52 +0000

Opinion: URC Dream Over — Connacht Must Shake Things Up for Challenge Cup Knockout Clash

A record-breaking crowd of 27,500 packed into Hastings Insurance MacHale Park last Saturday night, hopeful of witnessing Connacht Rugby land a statement win over Munster. Instead, they left deflated, as Connacht suffered a 24-30 defeat, a result that officially ended their URC play-off hopes in front of their biggest-ever home crowd.

Off the field the day was a celebration of rugby in the west of Ireland but on the field it became another chapter in a frustrating, inconsistent season.

But while the URC dream is gone, Connacht’s season is far from finished.

This Saturday, Connacht face Cardiff at The Sportsground in the Challenge Cup Last 16 — a knockout clash that now defines their year. Win, and Connacht will host a European quarter-final against Racing 92 or Perpignan. Lose, and the season is over.

That’s why selection this week is crucial. Connacht need to change the formula. They can’t keep rolling out the same players who look mentally and physically drained. It’s time to freshen things up, back the wider squad, and give the fans something to believe in.

The Connacht XV I’d Start Against Cardiff

Here’s the team I would select — a side built on freshness, form, and hunger:

Starting XV

1. Peter Dooley
2. Dave Heffernan
3. Finlay Bealham
4. Joe Joyce
5. Niall Murray
6. Josh Murphy
7. Shamus Hurley-Langton
8. Sean Jansen
9. Colm Reilly
10. Josh Ioane
11. Finn Treacy
12. Cathal Forde
13. Piers O’Conor
14. Mack Hansen
15. Shane Jennings

Replacements

16. Dylan Tierney-Martin
17. Denis Buckley
18. Jack Aungier
19. Darragh Murray
20. Paul Boyle
21. Matthew Devine
22. JJ Hanrahan
23. David Hawkshaw

Why this team?

This isn’t about disrespecting senior players — it’s about giving Connacht the best chance of keeping their season alive.

The side that lost to Munster last weekend needs changing. They’ve carried the load all year and it showed. Connacht need to bring fresh legs, fresh energy, and fearless players ready to scrap for every inch.

This team blends youth, form and physicality:

Shane Jennings at full-back: One of Connacht’s brightest young talents. I think he is injury free.
Mack Hansen back on the wing: World-class in broken play.
Treacy on the other wing: Raw, hungry and deserves his shot.
Forde & O’Conor in midfield: Direct, physical, with plenty to prove. Give Bundee and Gavin a rest and possibly bring them back for quarter-final
Ioane & Reilly at half-back: Blade may need a break. These two can bring spark. Reilly deserves a chance and Devine is there to come on any time.
A proper, physical pack: Joe Joyce and Niall Murray in the engine room, with Murphy at 6 to bring a hard edge alongside Hurley-Langton and Jansen.

The bench is loaded with experienced heads to close the game out.

The bottom line

Connacht’s URC campaign is over — but their season is not.

This Saturday’s Challenge Cup Last 16 knockout at home to Cardiff is everything now. Win, and they will host a European quarter-final in Galway. Lose, and it’s all over.

The time for caution and conservatism is gone.
It’s time to back the squad, trust the fresh legs, and change the mood.

Fresh faces. Fresh energy. A fresh approach.
Connacht’s season depends on it.

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Match Report: Bristol Bears 38-35 Connacht Rugby – Mack is back

JoeNa Connacht — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 15:02:55 +0000

Connacht concluded their preseason campaign with a thrilling, high-scoring 38-35 defeat against Bristol Bears, setting the stage for their opening clash in the 2024/25 URC season against Munster next weekend.

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.

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