Connacht stun giants Toulouse

Editor

Irish province Connacht produced a stunning victory over Heineken Cup giants Toulouse with a 16-14 win in France.

Irish province Connacht produced a stunning victory over Heineken Cup giants Toulouse with a 16-14 win in France.

The French outfit took a 7-6 lead into the interval through Jean-Pascal Barraque's try, while Dan Parks responded with a penalty and a drop-goal for the Pro 12 side.

Parks added a third three-pointer after the break and Kieran Marmion crossed the whitewash before Thierry Dusautoir reduced the deficit, but it wasn't enough as Connacht held on for a remarkable win.

Having won the Heineken Cup four times in their history, the hosts were expected to comfortably dispatch the Irish minnows. And they set their stall out early on by refusing shots at goal to instead go for the try.

However, their ambition was repelled impressively by Connacht's outstanding defence. The visitors were rewarded for their strong rearguard when Parks kicked a penalty after 10 minutes.

Although it was Toulouse that were looking to move the ball wide at every opportunity, the Pro 12 team were also looking dangerous in possession when they had the opportunity.

After an attack deep into opposition territory, the away side's stand-off added a drop-goal to give them a 6-0 advantage. But with the half nearing its conclusion, the hosts finally managed to find a way over the line when Barraque crossed for a 7-6 lead at the break.

Despite that setback, Connacht once again impressed in the early stages of the second period as Parks kicked them ahead.

The Irish side then shocked the home team when Marmion touched down to extend the advantage to nine points.

Although Dusautoir powered over with 16 minutes to go, Toulouse couldn't find that elusive three-pointer that would have snatched the victory as Connacht celebrated a famous triumph.

The scorers:

For Toulouse:
Tries: Barraque, Dusautoir
Cons: Barraque 2

For Connacht:
Try: Marmion
Con: Parks
Pens: Parks 2
Drop Goal: Parks

Toulouse: 15 Clement Poitrenaud, 14 Yoann Huget, 13 Florian Fritz, 12 Yann David, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Jean Pascal Barraque, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Louis Picamoles, 7 Thierry Dusautoir, 6 Yacouba Camara, 5 Yoann Maestri, 4 Edwin Maka, 3 Census Johnston, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Gurthro Steenkamp
Replacements: 16 Jaba Bregvadze, 17 Schalk Ferreira, 18 Yohan Montes, 19 Romain Millo-Chluski, 20 Christopher Tolofua, 21 Jean-Marc Doussain, 22 Lionel Beauxis, 23 Timoci Matanavou,

Connacht: 15 Robbie Henshaw, 14 Fionn Carr, 13 Eoin Griffin, 12 Dave McSharry, 11 Matt Healy, 10 Dan Parks, 9 Kieran Marmion, 8 George Naoupu, 7 Jake Heenan, 6 John Muldoon, 5 Craig Clarke (capt), 4 Mick Kearney, 3 Nathan White, 2 Sean Henry, 1 Brett Wilkinson.
Replacements: 16 Jason Harris Wright, 17 Denis Buckley, 18 Rodney Ah You, 19 Michael Swift, 20 Eoin McKeon, 21 Frank Murphy, 22 Craig Ronaldson, 23 Gavin Duffy,

Referee: Marius Mitrea (Italy)
Assistant referees: Stefano Penne, Elia Rizzo (Italy)
TMO: Alan Falzone (Italy)