Conor leads the way in Wales

DOMINANCE up front underpinned Connacht’s comprehensive victory over Dragons in the Pro 14, their first triumph in Wales since February 2017.

Andy Friend’s side bullied the hosts with their pack to the fore, a rampant rolling maul yielding three tries and forming the backbone of their second successive bonus-point win.

Dragons started well but were desperately poor in the second half. Their lineout fell to pieces and they remain without a win over an Irish province since beating Connacht two years ago.

Connacht’s front row were outstanding – Tom McCartney was tigerish at the breakdown and powerful with ball in hand.

But it was Conor Fitzgerald who conducted the symphony from fly-half, kicking 11 points and pushing his pack into the right areas throughout.

DRAGONS: J Williams, O Jenkins, T Morgan (J Dixon 57), A Warren, A Hewitt, S Davies, R Williams (T Knoyle 57); B Harris (Cosgrove 2), R Hibbard (Shipp 57), L Brown (L Fairbrother 67), J Davies (M Williams 75), M Screech, H Taylor (H Keddie 48), T Basham, L Evans (H Taylor 56). SCORERS — Tries: Morgan, Basham; Cons: Davies 2

CONNACHT: T O’Halloran (Fitzgerald 6), J Porch, K Godwin, P Robb, M Healy (T Farrell 37), C Fitzgerald, C Blade (K Marmion 67); P McAllister (D Buckley 54), T McCartney (S Delahunt 54), F Bealham (D Robertson-McCoy 56), G Thornbury (U Dillane 50), Q Roux (C Gallagher 67), E Masterson, J Butler, P Boyle. SCORERS — Tries: Thornbury, Healy, Bealham, Gallagher, Marmion.

Cons: Fitzgerald 5. Pens: Fitzgerald.