United Rugby Championship round four

Connacht (33) 48

Tries: Bealham, Jansen, Forde, Gilbert, Prendergast, West, Hefferman (2) Cons: Frawley (4), Gilbert

Zebre (17) 27

Tries: Ferrari, Botturi, Belloni, Ribaldi, Staville Cons: Montemauri

Connacht returned to winning ways in the United Rugby Championship with an eight-try 48-27 victory over Zebre at Dexcom Stadium.

Stuart Lancaster’s side produced an impressive attacking display in the first half and scored five tries to lead 33-17 at the break.

The tempo of the game dropped after the restart with Zebre able to secure their first point of the season when they sealed a try bonus point.

The result means that Connacht move up to sixth position in the URC, while Zebre remain bottom.

Zebre made a bright start to the game when flanker Giacomo Ferrari crossed on five minutes, but Giovanni Montemauri could not add the extras.

However, the home side responded emphatically with quick-fire tries from Finlay Bealham, Sean Jansen, Cathal Forde and Sam Gilbert in 15 minutes putting them in control.

The visitors continued to push with Jacopo Botturi able to cross to momentarily halt the home side’s momentum.

Prendergast restored Connacht’s lead before Mirko Belloni finished off a flowing attack to secure the visitors’ third try before the break.

Dave Heffernan, who made his first start of the season since returning from injury, made an immediate impact and registered Connacht’s sixth try on the hour mark.

West followed shortly afterwards to further strengthen the hosts’ lead as the Irish province looked to build on their Champions Cup win last weekend.

The away side secured a bonus point when Giampietro Ribaldi powered over before Bautista Staville added a fifth try late on.

Connacht extended their lead in the closing seconds with Heffernan crossing from a close-range maul, but Sam Gilbert missed the conversion.

Connacht: Gilbert; Treacy, West, Forde, Hansen; Frawley, Reilly; Jansen, Byle, Prendergast, D Murray, N Murray, Bealham, de Buitlear, Cahir.

Replacements: Heffernan, Duggan, Illo, O’Connor, Connors, Blade, Naughton, Ryan.

Zebre: Belloni; Wade, Zanon, Casarin, Gesi; Montemauri, Fusco; Ruggeri, Botturi, Ferrari, Ortombina, Ruffolo, Hasa, Di Bartolomeo, Pelliccioli.

Replacements: Ribaldi, Pisani, Castellano, Canali, Stavile, Dominguez, Da Re, Migliori.

Referee: Hanru van Rooyen (SARU)