James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
Here’s how Connacht will line out, with Mack Hansen notably rested. Cian Prendergast captains the side, with Ciarán Frawley set for his home debut for his new side.
15. Sam Gilbert
14. Finn Treacy
13. Cathal Forde
12. Bundee Aki
11. Shane Jennings
10. Ciarán Frawley
9. Colm Reilly
1. Francois van Wyk
2. Matthew Victory
3. Sam Illo
4. Darragh Murray
5. Josh Murphy
6. Cian Prendergast – captain
7. Shamus Hurley-Langton
8. Sean Jansen
Replacements:
16. Eoin de Buitléar
17. Billy Bohan
18. Thomas Connolly
19. Niall Murray
20. Sean O’Brien
21. Caolin Blade
22. Josh Ioane
23. Daniel Ryan
Saracens are pretty much fully locked and loaded, stacked with England internationals.
15. Elliot Daly
14. Noah Caluori
13. Nick Tompkins
12. Sione Va’enuku
11. Rotimi Segun
10. Owen Farrell
9. Tomos Williams
1. Eroni Mawi
2. Jamie George
3. Marcus Street
4. Olamide Sodeke
5. Hugh Tizard
6. Maro Itoje
7. Toby Knight
8. Ben Earl
Replacements
16. Eoghan Clarke
17. Phil Brantingham
18. Corné Weilbach
19. Nick Isiekwe
20. Nathan Michelow
21. Alfie Barbeary
22. Tom James
23. Fergus Burke
17 Oct
5:31PM
The teams are out on the pitch, and observing a minute’s silence for Lions player Hyron Andrews following his tragic death.
17 Oct
5:32PM
KICK-OFF! Saracens get us underway in Galway, with French referee
Pierre Brouset the man in the middle.
17 Oct
5:35PM
Connacht 0-0 Saracens
2 mins - Fast start from Connacht, but their electric first attack is turned over. It all came from a Saracens lineout going awry, and the hosts countered to huge noise from the Dexcom support
17 Oct
5:37PM
Connacht 0-0 Saracens
5 mins – Owen Farrell finds an early touch right in the corner, and Saracens’ lineout maul is held up. They look to repeat the trick, creeping towards the try-line, with an offside advantage…
Clinical start from Sarries as Sione Va’enuku forces his way over. Disappointment for Connacht.
Owen Farrell wastes no time adding the extras, 7-0. The Premier Sports commentators say his father, Ireland head coach Andy, is in the crowd.
17 Oct
5:44PM
Connacht 0-7 Saracens
10 mins - The Connacht defence is under pressure as Sarries enjoy the early ascendancy. Gilbert with some last-ditch defending, clearing under pressure to keep them at bay for now.
Early Connacht replacement - Ryan for Jennings, word of a HIA.
Saracens continue their impressive start with a second try – Caluori finishing in style. He’s cool as a cucumber on the try-line, stopping and jinking before dotting down, after a clean, crisp switch of play through the hands.
Farrell can’t convert, but his side are rampant early doors. Connacht’s discipline costing them again, an offside ultimately helping Sarries on their way.
17 Oct
5:52PM
Connacht 0-12 Saracens
17 mins - Connacht look to hit back, and they think they’re over. Over to the TMO…
Brilliant response from Connacht, with their captain front and centre. The TMO confirms Prendergast’s try after nice work in the lineout maul. Prendergast was key in the build-up too, his offload on the break intercepted and penalised, with Frawley finding touch.
Connacht's Sam Gilbert with Sione Va'enuku of Saracens. Tom O’Hanlon / INPHO
Tom O’Hanlon / INPHO / INPHO
17 Oct
6:01PM
Connacht 7-12 Saracens
22 mins - Connacht – buoyed by that Prendergast try – have been on the front foot, injecting serious pace into their attack. Bundee Aki some huge carries, one a juggling act to keep hold of the ball. Can they find the breakthrough?
Over 12,500 fans at Dexcom on this sunny Saturday evening.
What a score from Connacht, and we’re level. The aforementioned attack is good, full off fast hands, and the ball is eventually worked out to Forde in the corner, who crashes over.
No conversion this time, but all square. A really entertaining first half, as Connacht bounce back in style.
17 Oct
6:06PM
Connacht 12-12 Saracens
28 mins - It’s been all Connacht the last few minutes as they look to capitalise on the momentum. They’re playing with explosive pace when they get the ball. Can they add a third try? Or will Saracens get their act together again?
Wow! Connacht come from two tries down to hit the front with their third. Hurley-Langton finishes off the lineout, and the west is well and truly awake!
Gilbert squeezes the conversion inside the near post, and Connacht lead 19-12.
17 Oct
6:11PM
Connacht 19-12 Saracens
32 mins – Dexcom is buzzing, and Connacht are feeding off the crowd. Daniel Ryan with a massive surge after a lovely Prendergast offload, but he’s left isolated as Sarries scramble. Can they hit back on the scoreboard before the break?
17 Oct
6:12PM
Here’s Connacht’s second try, scored by Forde:
🟢 @connachtrugby are right back in this!
Cathal Forde finishes off a brillant move 🔥
#InvestecChampionsCup https://t.co/PqBDdnjleC
35 mins – Brilliant defence from Connacht to frustrate their visitors – Forde with a big tackle on Farrell amid the jigs and the reels – and hold them up 5m from the try-line. They clear their lines for now, making a sharp exit from the scrum, as half-time nears.
17 Oct
6:16PM
And here’s Connacht’s third try, from Shamus Hurley-Langton:
"The west is awake" 🗣️
Shamus Hurley-Langton forces his way over to put @connachtrugby ahead 🟢
#InvestecChampionsCup https://t.co/VRUNMmfcyr
39 mins – Connacht pinged for a crooked lineout, Saracens get away from the scrum inside their own half but kick down their hosts’ throat. Connacht look to move quickly from deep but a mix-up stops them in their tracks around the middle. Scrum time once more…
Sarries strike for the sixth try of the game in the red! Nick Tompkins with the score at the second time of asking – they thought they were through, only to be (illegally) denied by Hurley-Langton, who is sin-binned. They go again, and eventually break Connacht’s resolve, with Tompkins dotting down.
Farrell adds the conversion to leave it 19-19, and there’s almost silence as both sides head for the sheds.
And breathe! What a mad first half that was. Incredible entertainment at the Dexcom, a complete and utter rollercoaster.
Saracens powered into a 12-0 lead in the 12th minute, with Sione Va’enuku and Noah Caluori scoring the tries as they looked rampant. But Connacht showed huge heart to hit back through Cian Prendergast, Cathal Forde and Shamus Hurley-Langton and were 19-12 ahead by the half-hour mark.
It looked like that scoreline would remain at the break, but Sarries levelled matters at 19-19 when Nick Tompkins crossed in injury time. Hurley-Langton was yellow-carded in the build-up to that try, so Connacht will restart with 14-men.
Sam Gilbert and Owen Farrell have both nailed two of their three conversions.
A huge second half ahead. Darren Cave backs Connacht to win. Who have you got?
17 Oct
6:37PM
SECOND HALF! Frawley gets the action back underway. 19-19. Buckle up.
A reminder that Connacht resume with 14 men, Hurley-Langton is in the bin.
17 Oct
6:39PM
Connacht 19-19 Saracens
40 mins - Va’enuku with a knock-on from the restart, and Sarries have gifted Connacht a huge attacking opportunity…
17 Oct
6:44PM
Connacht 19-19 Saracens
44 mins – Shortly after the scrum – from 15m out – Frawley is stripped and Saracens clear their lines after a setpiece of their own. But only momentarily, as Tompkins knocks the ball on. Two poor unforced errors from the Sarries try-scorers early in the second half, and Connacht look to go again.
A second try for Prendergast as Connacht move back in front. Some more brilliant attacking play to carve Sarries open, Aki delaying the offload and Prendergast crashing over in the corner. Came after sustained Connacht pressure, Colm Reilly ultimately opening the sequence with a brilliant snipe.
Gilbert’s conversion kisses off the post, and Connacht lead 26-19.
Saracens’ pressure pays off – and Connacht’s ill discipline is punished – as Va’Enuku scores his second try. The TENTH of the game. Split evenly, five apiece.
Number two for Frawley, number seven for Connacht, and number TWELVE for the game!
George overthrows the line out, Frawley pounces and turns on the afterburners before soaring over the try-line.
Gilbert adds the extras, 45-31. MADNESS!
17 Oct
7:08PM
Connacht 45-31 Saracens
67 mins – Connacht are not letting up! They’re nearly in for another try, but will be disappointed with a knock-on. They keep Sarries under the pump, but the English side eventually clear their lines.
A lull for treatment and changes, as the Fields rings out around the Dexcom. What a night they are having!
Ciarán Frawley celebrates with Caolin Blade. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
17 Oct
7:13PM
Connacht 45-31 Saracens
70 mins – A heart in the mouth moment for Saracens as another Connacht try looks likely, but Fergus Burke scrambles. Ben Earl departs, Sarries make some changes as the stop-start nature of the last few minutes continues.
17 Oct
7:16PM
Connacht 45-31 Saracens
73 mins - Saracens on the attack as they chase down a 14-point deficit…
Connacht holding them out so far. Prendergast penalised for a knock-on – questions over whether it was deliberate or not – but Elliot Daly moves fast with a huge kick to find touch. Sarries can’t get moving through the gears, and Connacht clear the danger for now.
17 Oct
7:20PM
Connacht 45-31 Saracens
77 mins - Huge Connacht turnover, with the finish line in sight. Frawley is named Man of the Match.
17 Oct
7:22PM
Connacht 45-31 Saracens
78 mins – Saracens on the hunt, Connacht down a man to the sin-bin – not overly sure who as a dramatic endgame continues.
James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
17 Oct
7:25PM
WHAT A WIN FOR CONNACHT! WHAT A GAME OF RUGBY!
13 tries, was it? Simply astonishing.
Connacht come from 12-0 down to win 45-36. A statement win on their return to the Champions Cup, a night to remember at the Dexcom.
17 Oct
7:27PM
So that’s that for our live coverage, but we’ll have a match report on The 42 imminently – and all of the usual reaction and analysis over the coming days.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
61 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
As it happened: Connacht v Saracens, Champions Cup
Connacht are back in the Champions Cup, and they open with a difficult challenge against Saracens at Dexcom Stadium.
After four years in the Challenge Cup, the western province mark their return to the top-flight at home to the three-time champions.
Kick-off in Galway is at 5.30pm, with the action live on Premier Sports 1. We’ll keep you up to date right here.
Team News
Here’s how Connacht will line out, with Mack Hansen notably rested. Cian Prendergast captains the side, with Ciarán Frawley set for his home debut for his new side.
15. Sam Gilbert
14. Finn Treacy
13. Cathal Forde
12. Bundee Aki
11. Shane Jennings
10. Ciarán Frawley
9. Colm Reilly
1. Francois van Wyk
2. Matthew Victory
3. Sam Illo
4. Darragh Murray
5. Josh Murphy
6. Cian Prendergast – captain
7. Shamus Hurley-Langton
8. Sean Jansen
Replacements:
16. Eoin de Buitléar
17. Billy Bohan
18. Thomas Connolly
19. Niall Murray
20. Sean O’Brien
21. Caolin Blade
22. Josh Ioane
23. Daniel Ryan
Team News
Saracens are pretty much fully locked and loaded, stacked with England internationals.
15. Elliot Daly
14. Noah Caluori
13. Nick Tompkins
12. Sione Va’enuku
11. Rotimi Segun
10. Owen Farrell
9. Tomos Williams
1. Eroni Mawi
2. Jamie George
3. Marcus Street
4. Olamide Sodeke
5. Hugh Tizard
6. Maro Itoje
7. Toby Knight
8. Ben Earl
Replacements
16. Eoghan Clarke
17. Phil Brantingham
18. Corné Weilbach
19. Nick Isiekwe
20. Nathan Michelow
21. Alfie Barbeary
22. Tom James
23. Fergus Burke
The teams are out on the pitch, and observing a minute’s silence for Lions player Hyron Andrews following his tragic death.
KICK-OFF! Saracens get us underway in Galway, with French referee
Pierre Brouset the man in the middle.
Connacht 0-0 Saracens
2 mins - Fast start from Connacht, but their electric first attack is turned over. It all came from a Saracens lineout going awry, and the hosts countered to huge noise from the Dexcom support
Connacht 0-0 Saracens
5 mins – Owen Farrell finds an early touch right in the corner, and Saracens’ lineout maul is held up. They look to repeat the trick, creeping towards the try-line, with an offside advantage…
Sarries tap and go, this looks ominous.
TRY! Connacht 0-5 Saracens (Sione Va’enuku, 6 mins)
Clinical start from Sarries as Sione Va’enuku forces his way over. Disappointment for Connacht.
Owen Farrell wastes no time adding the extras, 7-0. The Premier Sports commentators say his father, Ireland head coach Andy, is in the crowd.
Connacht 0-7 Saracens
10 mins - The Connacht defence is under pressure as Sarries enjoy the early ascendancy. Gilbert with some last-ditch defending, clearing under pressure to keep them at bay for now.
Early Connacht replacement - Ryan for Jennings, word of a HIA.
TRY! Connacht 0-12 Saracens (Noah Caluori, 12 mins)
Saracens continue their impressive start with a second try – Caluori finishing in style. He’s cool as a cucumber on the try-line, stopping and jinking before dotting down, after a clean, crisp switch of play through the hands.
Farrell can’t convert, but his side are rampant early doors. Connacht’s discipline costing them again, an offside ultimately helping Sarries on their way.
Connacht 0-12 Saracens
17 mins - Connacht look to hit back, and they think they’re over. Over to the TMO…
TRY! Connacht 5-12 Saracens (Cian Prendergast, 18 mins)
Brilliant response from Connacht, with their captain front and centre. The TMO confirms Prendergast’s try after nice work in the lineout maul. Prendergast was key in the build-up too, his offload on the break intercepted and penalised, with Frawley finding touch.
Gilbert adds the extras to a huge roar. 12-7.
Connacht 7-12 Saracens
22 mins - Connacht – buoyed by that Prendergast try – have been on the front foot, injecting serious pace into their attack. Bundee Aki some huge carries, one a juggling act to keep hold of the ball. Can they find the breakthrough?
Over 12,500 fans at Dexcom on this sunny Saturday evening.
TRY! Connacht 12-12 Saracens (Cathal Forde, 24 mins)
What a score from Connacht, and we’re level. The aforementioned attack is good, full off fast hands, and the ball is eventually worked out to Forde in the corner, who crashes over.
No conversion this time, but all square. A really entertaining first half, as Connacht bounce back in style.
Connacht 12-12 Saracens
28 mins - It’s been all Connacht the last few minutes as they look to capitalise on the momentum. They’re playing with explosive pace when they get the ball. Can they add a third try? Or will Saracens get their act together again?
TRY! Connacht 17-12 Saracens (Shamus Hurley-Langton, 30 mins)
Wow! Connacht come from two tries down to hit the front with their third. Hurley-Langton finishes off the lineout, and the west is well and truly awake!
Gilbert squeezes the conversion inside the near post, and Connacht lead 19-12.
Connacht 19-12 Saracens
32 mins – Dexcom is buzzing, and Connacht are feeding off the crowd. Daniel Ryan with a massive surge after a lovely Prendergast offload, but he’s left isolated as Sarries scramble. Can they hit back on the scoreboard before the break?
Here’s Connacht’s second try, scored by Forde:
Connacht 19-12 Saracens
35 mins – Brilliant defence from Connacht to frustrate their visitors – Forde with a big tackle on Farrell amid the jigs and the reels – and hold them up 5m from the try-line. They clear their lines for now, making a sharp exit from the scrum, as half-time nears.
And here’s Connacht’s third try, from Shamus Hurley-Langton:
Connacht 19-12 Saracens
39 mins – Connacht pinged for a crooked lineout, Saracens get away from the scrum inside their own half but kick down their hosts’ throat. Connacht look to move quickly from deep but a mix-up stops them in their tracks around the middle. Scrum time once more…
TRY! Connacht 19-17 Saracens (Nick Tompkins, 42 mins)
Sarries strike for the sixth try of the game in the red! Nick Tompkins with the score at the second time of asking – they thought they were through, only to be (illegally) denied by Hurley-Langton, who is sin-binned. They go again, and eventually break Connacht’s resolve, with Tompkins dotting down.
Farrell adds the conversion to leave it 19-19, and there’s almost silence as both sides head for the sheds.
HT: Connacht 19-19 Saracens
And breathe! What a mad first half that was. Incredible entertainment at the Dexcom, a complete and utter rollercoaster.
Saracens powered into a 12-0 lead in the 12th minute, with Sione Va’enuku and Noah Caluori scoring the tries as they looked rampant. But Connacht showed huge heart to hit back through Cian Prendergast, Cathal Forde and Shamus Hurley-Langton and were 19-12 ahead by the half-hour mark.
It looked like that scoreline would remain at the break, but Sarries levelled matters at 19-19 when Nick Tompkins crossed in injury time. Hurley-Langton was yellow-carded in the build-up to that try, so Connacht will restart with 14-men.
Sam Gilbert and Owen Farrell have both nailed two of their three conversions.
A huge second half ahead. Darren Cave backs Connacht to win. Who have you got?
SECOND HALF! Frawley gets the action back underway. 19-19. Buckle up.
A reminder that Connacht resume with 14 men, Hurley-Langton is in the bin.
Connacht 19-19 Saracens
40 mins - Va’enuku with a knock-on from the restart, and Sarries have gifted Connacht a huge attacking opportunity…
Connacht 19-19 Saracens
44 mins – Shortly after the scrum – from 15m out – Frawley is stripped and Saracens clear their lines after a setpiece of their own. But only momentarily, as Tompkins knocks the ball on. Two poor unforced errors from the Sarries try-scorers early in the second half, and Connacht look to go again.
TRY! Connacht 24-19 Saracens (Cian Prendergast, 47 mins)
A second try for Prendergast as Connacht move back in front. Some more brilliant attacking play to carve Sarries open, Aki delaying the offload and Prendergast crashing over in the corner. Came after sustained Connacht pressure, Colm Reilly ultimately opening the sequence with a brilliant snipe.
Gilbert’s conversion kisses off the post, and Connacht lead 26-19.
TRY! Connacht 26-14 Saracens (Rotimi Segun, 49 mins)
Sarries hit back almost immediately as Segun finishes a lovely team move down the left. Breathless stuff again! What a game.
Farrell’s conversion is wide to a raft of jeers.
TRY! Connacht 31-24 Saracens (Ciarán Frawley, 52 mins)
ANOTHER ONE! Just end-to-end stuff as Frawley grabs the ninth try of the game.
More brilliant attacking play from Connacht, with Frawley, Aki and Finn Treacy prominent, and the crowd love it.
Gilbert adds the extras, Connacht lead by nine: 33-24.
Connacht 33-24 Saracens
53 mins – A nervy moment as the try is rechecked, but all stands.
Connacht start to run their bench…
Connacht 33-24 Saracens
56 mins - Sarries piling on the pressure as they look to muster a response. Illo is pinged for a high tackle on Rotimi. They keep digging deep.
Two more Connacht replacements as Caolin Blade and Tom Connolly come in.
TRY! Connacht 33-29 Saracens (Sione Va’Enuku, 58 mins)
Saracens’ pressure pays off – and Connacht’s ill discipline is punished – as Va’Enuku scores his second try. The TENTH of the game. Split evenly, five apiece.
Farrell converts, 33-31.
TRY! Connacht 38-31 Saracens (Caolin Blade, 61 mins)
Haha. This is ridiculous.
Sensational rugby from Connacht, and Blade joins the scoring party from the bench.
Frawley to Forde, who does brilliantly to stay in play on the touchline, and send Blade through. No conversion this time.
TRY! Connacht 43-31 Saracens (Ciarán Frawley, 64 mins)
Number two for Frawley, number seven for Connacht, and number TWELVE for the game!
George overthrows the line out, Frawley pounces and turns on the afterburners before soaring over the try-line.
Gilbert adds the extras, 45-31. MADNESS!
Connacht 45-31 Saracens
67 mins – Connacht are not letting up! They’re nearly in for another try, but will be disappointed with a knock-on. They keep Sarries under the pump, but the English side eventually clear their lines.
A lull for treatment and changes, as the Fields rings out around the Dexcom. What a night they are having!
Connacht 45-31 Saracens
70 mins – A heart in the mouth moment for Saracens as another Connacht try looks likely, but Fergus Burke scrambles. Ben Earl departs, Sarries make some changes as the stop-start nature of the last few minutes continues.
Connacht 45-31 Saracens
73 mins - Saracens on the attack as they chase down a 14-point deficit…
Connacht holding them out so far. Prendergast penalised for a knock-on – questions over whether it was deliberate or not – but Elliot Daly moves fast with a huge kick to find touch. Sarries can’t get moving through the gears, and Connacht clear the danger for now.
Connacht 45-31 Saracens
77 mins - Huge Connacht turnover, with the finish line in sight. Frawley is named Man of the Match.
Connacht 45-31 Saracens
78 mins – Saracens on the hunt, Connacht down a man to the sin-bin – not overly sure who as a dramatic endgame continues.
TRY! Connacht 45-36 Saracens (Elliot Daly, 79 mins)
Daly gives Saracens a lifeline with a last-gasp try, but Farrell misses the conversion. Connacht fans greet the win, nearly there…
FT: Connacht 45-36 Saracens
WHAT A WIN FOR CONNACHT! WHAT A GAME OF RUGBY!
13 tries, was it? Simply astonishing.
Connacht come from 12-0 down to win 45-36. A statement win on their return to the Champions Cup, a night to remember at the Dexcom.
So that’s that for our live coverage, but we’ll have a match report on The 42 imminently – and all of the usual reaction and analysis over the coming days.
Thanks for reading, enjoy your Saturday night!
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Liveblog Minute-by-Minute Rugby Updates