Connacht succumbed to the French flair of Toulon in France yesterday and will need to show a vast improvement to trouble Orrell in their final group match of the European conference.

Connacht were already 15-0 in arrears at the break, before outside-half Owen Cobbe, the ex-London Irish player. struck a 43rd-minute penalty. But even more disconcerting to the Connacht players was the 20th-minute delay in proceedings brought on by an injury to Michael Devine.

He left the field unconscious after a tackle, but was reported to be recovering in hospital. Toulon ran in four tries before Alan Reddan crossed for Connacht's only touch-down of the match. which Cobbe converted. Even then. Toulon managed a late try in the dying seconds.