Connacht finish disappointing season on high note with victory in Parma

URC: Zebre Parma 12 Connacht 22

Connacht signed off a disappointing season with a victory over Parma in their URC basement battle in Italy.

It ensured Connacht overtook Ulster to finish in 13th place in what has been a difficult season, on and off the field.

Outhalf JJ Hanrahan, one of seven players leaving the province, admitted the performance in Parma reflected Connacht’s season.

“We spoke a lot about having a fast start, and I think we did that – led particularly well from Cian Prendergast, and you could see his carrying and the intent was excellent. When you see your captain leading from the front like that, everyone rolls in behind.

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“We had a plan and at least we put it on the park. Yes, there were inaccuracies, but I think that is probably the story of our season – maybe it’s a little bit of confidence, I’m not too sure.

“One thing I can say is in terms of trying to play into space and have positive rugby and really trying to move the ball and exploit opportunities, we definitely stuck to that; we just didn’t execute it all.”

Hanrahan, who heads back to Munster, said about his time in Connacht. “Hand on heart, this is one of the best changing rooms I’ve been involved in, in terms of coaching group as well. People care for each other in this group and in this club, and I’ll be honest, it is very, very hard to leave. I generally feel in this club, I’ve made some friends for life.”

In Italy, Zebre Parma did their best to make life difficult for Connacht, particularly in the second half. But in the end, they came up short, dropping to 15th spot, with only the Dragons beneath them.

JJ Hanrahan in action for Connacht against Zebre Parma. Photograph: Roberto Bregani/Inpho

Connacht led 12-7 at half-time having dominated possession and territorial control, but both sides lacked clinical efficiency. Zebre spurned an early opportunity when Connacht’s defence repelled their maul, and a poor kick was swiftly followed by Connacht’s first try, Prendergast backing himself as he broke down the left wing, pushing off tacklers in the process to score, with Hanrahan adding the extras.

In the 27th minute, from a penalty to touch, the Connacht pack delivered the necessary set-up before Santiago Cordero sent Shayne Bolton through for a 12-0 lead.

The hosts replied just before the break. It started from a high kick from outhalf Giovanni Montemauri before fullback Jacopo Trulla kicked over the top, secured possession and then delivered to openside Bautista Stavile who ran in to score a deserved try. Montemauri’s conversion ensured the home side was just five points in arrears, despite Connacht enjoying most of the possession.

Both sides spurned early second-half chances until Shamus Hurley-Langton delivered the winning try to stretch the lead to 12 points. It was needed after Connacht lost Matthew Devine to a yellow card, and the Italians took advantage through Trulla, giving them momentum heading into the final 10 minutes.

Connacht, however, maintained their composure, and a late penalty allowed man the match Hanrahan to stretch the lead, ensuring Connacht grabbed their sixth victory in what has been an ultimately disappointing season.

SCORING SEQUENCE – 16 mins: Prendergast try, Hanranhan con 0-7; 27: Bolton try 0-12; 36: Stavile try, Montemauri con 7-12. Half-time: 7-12; 60: Hurley-Langton try, Hanrahan con 7-19; 69: Trulla try 12-19; 78: Hanrahan pen 12-22.

ZEBRE PARMA: J Trulla; S Gregory, F Paea, D Mazza, S Gesi; G Montemauri, A Fusco; D Fischetti (capt), L Bigi, M Hasal; M Canali, L Krumov; D Ruggeri, B Stavile, G Licata

Replacements: T Di Bartolomeo for Bigi (48 mins); J Pitinari for Hasa (53); G Garcia for Gregory (56); G Ferrari for Ruggeri (59); E Lucchin for Mazza (61); G Volpi for Canali (66); L Morisi for Volpi (74).

CONNACHT: S Cordero; S Bolton, D Hawkshaw, B Aki, F Treacy; JJ Hanrahan, B Murphy; D Buckley, D Heffernan, F Bealham; J Murphy, J Joyce; C Prendergast (capt), S Hurley-Langton, P Boyle.

Replacements: D Murray for Joyce (42 mins); C Forde for Hawkshaw (43); J Aungier for Bealham, S Jansen for Boyle (both 52); P O’Conor for Treacy, J Duggan for Buckley (both 61); M Devine for Murphy (63), E de Buitléar for Heffernan (78).

Referee: Hollie Davidson.