Challenge Cup: Connacht 35 Cardiff 20
Connacht, having done all the hard work in the European Challenge Cup pool stages to claim top seed, reaped the reward with a hard-earned 35-20 victory over Cardiff at Dexcom Stadium.
And although the visitors closed the gap in the second half to 21-20, Connacht delivered the necessary finish, ensuring they qualify for the quarter-finals, while also denying the Welsh outfit a win in the West since 2017.
Cardiff boasted some 260 internationals caps in their line-up; Connacht 140 – through Bundee Aki, Finlay Bealham, Mack Hansen and Dave Heffernan, and they all played a key role in this fixture – Mack Hansen man of the match.
The home side produced the ideal start, and were on the scoreboard…