Updated 16:55
CONNACHT HAVE BEATEN Toulouse 16-14 at the Stade Ernest Wallon thanks to an assured Dan Parks kicking performance and a superb try from Kieran Marmion.
The Irish side shocked the four-time Heineken Cup champions to snap their eight-game losing streak and give themselves a chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals. The final five minutes were tense as Parks hit the bar with a 55 metre penalty attempt.
The visitors were 60 seconds away from a remarkable half-time lead before a late Jean Pascal Barraque try. Pat Lam’s side began the game on the back foot and needed some committed defence to survive the opening 10 minutes. Connacht fought back after turning over Toulouse ball and gradually made headway into the French half.
The frustration of the home side was evident as they went offside soon after knocking forward in midfield. Parks sized up the posts from halfway and scored with a sweet connection.
The visitors grew in confidence after the early score and left French territory with another three points, on 15 minutes, after Parks slotted over a drop goal inside their 22.
Jake Heenan and John Muldoon were outstanding for the Irish side in the first-half, with Robbie Henshaw the attacking spark in the backline.
French pressure looked to have paid off in the final 10 minutes of the half as Barraque lined up a penalty. He missed and Connacht needed Parks’ superb tap tackle to deny Florian Fritz a try moments later.
Toulouse were rewarded for their relentless attacking surges as Barraque got over for a try in the 39th minute. As the clock ticked red, Barraque converted his try and the French side led for the first time in the game.
Parks put Connacht ahead with a penalty after the break and Henshaw showed great strength and awareness to set up Carr, who dived over in the corner. It looked like a core but he had been held up. Luckily, Marmion was on hand to burrow over and get the ball down at the next ruck.
Henshaw was denied a score of his own when the video referee harshly called back play and the scene was set for a tense finish when Toulouse captain Thierry Dusautoir got over for a try and Lionel Beauxis converted it.
Marmion was named man-of-the-match with a minute of play left but greater news was to follow. Connacht held on and recorded the greatest win in the province’s history.
– First posted at 15:50
