Connacht pay price for error-strewn display and sent packing from Europe by Benetton
Benetton 39 Connacht 24
Bundee Aki could not stop Connacht from exiting the European stage at the hands of Benetton
Leinster will be Ireland’s only participants in the business end of European competition in the 2023/24 season after a comedy of errors contributed to Connacht’s downfall at Stadio Monigo in Treviso.
Two weeks previously, a fully-loaded Benetton snatched victory at the death in the League, but this time, they bossed matters despite Connacht having their Six Nations players Bundee Aki and Finlay Bealham back in harness.
Connacht gifted Benetton 14 points in the opening half, allowing the Italians to advance to a Challenge Cup Semi-Final in Gloucester.
Connacht got a lifeline just before the end of an opening half that lasted 52 minutes when No.8 Paul Boyle drove over, with JJ Hanrahan’s conversion reducing the interval deficit to 26-14.
Before he scored, Boyle was the guilty party as a try from hooker Dave Heffernan was scratched after he joined the maul ahead of the ball-carrier, with loosehead Thomas Gallo pinged for a scuffle with the Connacht hooker on the restart.
They made a bright start when Heffernan scored after just two minutes, with Hanrahan adding the extras for 7-0.
Benetton hit back after Darragh Murray was binned for a head-on-head tackle on winger Ignacio Mendy, who had to be replaced by Jacob Umaga. They went to the corner with the penalty, and Gianmarco Lucchesi scored from a lineout take, with Tomas Albornoz converting after seven minutes.
They hit the front when Tommaso Menoncello finished after good work by Federico Ruzza, with the Benetton lock injured in the move and forced off.
Connacht then gifted Benetton a try when scrum-half Caolin Blade tried to palm a high kick back to Tiernan O’Halloran, but home full-back Rhyno Smith intercepted for a converted try to lead 19-7 at the end of the opening quarter.
It got worse for Connacht seven minutes later when Albornoz made the most of a similar mistake to run in for a try which Umaga converted for 26-7.
Boyle’s try before the break cut the gap to 12.
Benetton extended the lead to 29-14 when Umaga landed a penalty from 35 metres.
Aki scored in the left corner to give Connacht some hope. Umaga extended the Benetton lead with a penalty to take a 32-19 lead into the final quarter and they sealed the win when Albornoz chipped and chased to race through for his second try, with Umaga’s conversion putting 20 points between them.
Conor Oliver scored 12 minutes from time, but that was as close as Connacht got.
