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Challenge Cup
Connacht (56) 75
Tries: Boyle, Prendergast (2), Gilbert, West, Devine, Boyle, Jansen, Jennings, Martin, penalty Cons: Gilbert (7), Naughton (2) Pen: Gilbert
Montauban (7) 14
Tries: Seux, Vallee Cons: Bosviel, Fortunel
Connacht scored 11 tries in a thumping 75-14 bonus-point win against Montauban to secure a spot in the last 16 of the Challenge Cup.
The ruthless hosts led 56-7 against 13-man Montauban at the end of the first half at Dexcom Stadium.
While there was much less action in the second half, Connacht added gloss to the scoreline with three more tries.
The comfortable victory brings to an end the Irish province’s four-game losing run in all competitions.
Paul Boyle’s converted try gave the home side an early lead before Cian Prendergast added a second in the 19th minute.
Montauban responded with 19-year-old debutant Jean Seux’s try which was converted by Jerome Bosviel.
However, Connacht extended their lead through full-back Sam Gilbert’s own converted score.
The visitors then suffered a further blow when hooker RH Greyling, who was brought on for the injured Maxient Da Costa, was shown a red card after a television match official check and Gade Asaeli was sin-binned.
Connacht were awarded a penalty try, before quickfire converted scores from Harry West and Prendergast further stretched their lead.
They dotted down twice more before the break with Matthew Devine and Paul Boyle crossing and Gilbert converting both.
After the restart, Sean Jansen added a ninth try and Shane Jennings made it 10 for Connacht on 66 minutes.
Paul Valee then registered a second converted try for the visitors with Jack Aungier receiving a yellow card for foul play in the build-up.
In the final minute, Dylan Tierne Martin added a final try of the evening to complete a thumping win for Stuart Lancaster’s side.
Line-ups
Connacht: S Gilbert; S Jennings; H West, C Forde; F Treacy, J Carty; M Devine; B Bohan, D Heffernan, S Illo; D Murray, J Murphy; C Prendergast (capt), P Boyle, S Jansen.
Replacements: D Tierney-Martin, D Buckley, J Aungier, J Joyce, S O’Brien, B Murphy, S Naughton, S Walsh.
Montauban: J Seux; P.A Gade; S Renda, M Mathy; P Vallee, J Bosviel; H Zabalza; L Seyrolle, G Asaeli, S Mafileo; C Bitz, L Bean; F Quercy, T Uanivi, N Maafu.
Replacements: R Greyling, L Auof, N Kanika, K Wilkins, M Castel, T Fortunel, G Popoali’i, F Pomponio.
