Five-try Connacht put on style in France

CONNACHT claimed an impressive bonus-point win as two Matt Healy tries helped them past a poor Oyonnax outfit in Geneva.

Cian Kelleher, Eoin McKeon and Darragh Leader also scored for Connacht, who claimed just their second win of Kieran Keane’s reign, and matched the five-point return of next Saturday’s opponents Worcester Warriors.

Fly-half Andrew Deegan was impressive for the Irish province, kicking 18 points.

“We’re pretty happy with that,” said coach Kieran Keane. “We took our tries well and kicked the points in the secondhalf. It was pleasing.”

Connacht ran in the first three tries, but Silvere Tian and Axel Muller hit back for Oyonnax before the break, but the boot of Deegan gave Connacht a 2215 half-time advantage.

The high tempo Connacht employed in the first-half continued and they always sought to take quick lineouts and a few tap penalties, but it was a big shove at a scrum that earned Connacht a penalty in the 43rd minute, and Deegan kicked the points.

The bonus point try followed as Healy finished off a first phase move under the posts for a 32-15 lead.

Deegan’s penalty moved the lead out to 20 points and from there Connacht cantered through.

Deegan kicked another three points and Leader scored try number five.