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Connacht Rugby will be out to try and make Biarritz Olympique their first French scalp in the Heineken Cup when the two sides meet at the Sportsground in Galway. - 06/12/2012 08:00
Connacht Rugby will be out to try and make Biarritz Olympique their first French scalp in the Heineken Cup when the two sides meet at the Sportsground in Galway.
The Irish province is still looking for their first victory over a French side, having lost their two previous games against French opponents in the tournament.
But coach Eric Elwood’s side do have an impressive record against French sides in the Amlin Challenge Cup, having 27 wins and 20 defeats against French clubs.
Biarritz have won eight and lost seven of their Heineken Cup matches against Irish opponents, but have managed to win six of their last eight games against the Irish provinces.
Match Facts
• Connacht have lost two out of two against French opponents in the Heineken Cup. In the Amlin Challenge Cup, they have 27 wins and 20 losses against teams from France.
• Biarritz have failed to string two wins together in their last eight games in the Heineken Cup, but have also not lost consecutive matches in that period. If their current trend of form continues against Connacht, they will lose this game.
• The French outfit have won eight and lost seven Heineken Cup matches against Irish sides. Six of those eight wins came in their last eight encounters against Irish outfits.
• Connacht have won 15 line-outs so far this season, a joint-low in the tournament so far.
Les Basques ont lourdement chuté sur la pelouse du Connacht (22-14) et ont sérieusement compromis leurs chances de qualification en quart de finale après ce deuxième revers en trois journées. - 07/12/2012 22:37
Connacht claimed their first victory over French opposition in the Heineken Cup by defeating tournament big guns Biarritz Olympique 22-14 at The Sportsground.
Galway has seen plenty of big wins in the Amlin Challenge Cup over the years but this particular triumph over the former Heineken Cup finalists matched last season’s success against Harlequins at the same venue.
Dan Parks was the key man for Connacht as he slotted three penalties, two drop goals and a conversion for a personal haul of 17 points.
Eric Elwood’s men led for all but five minutes of this Round 3 encounter after Fetu'u Vainikolo’s well-taken try surpassed Dimitri Yachvilli’s second-minute penalty.
Yachvili closed the gap to a single point just before the halfway point of the half after he had missed two previous attempts in comparison to one failure from Parks.
A first Parks drop goal was followed by a third Yachvili penalty to leave the hosts 10-9 ahead at half time but the second period well and truly belonged to Connacht.
Former Cardiff Blues and Scotland pivot Parks increased the lead on 46 and 51 minutes before pushing his side two scores clear with a second drop goal with eight minutes left to play.
A third successful penalty from Parks sealed a famous win five minutes later, with an injury-time try from replacement Imanol Harinordoquy when Tiernan O'Halloran was in the sin bin nothing more than mere consolation for the reigning Amlin Challenge Cup Champions.
Victory sees Connacht jump above Biarritz into second place in Pool 3, with English league leaders Harlequins now firm favourites to finish top of the group having beaten Connacht away and Biarritz at home.
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