2014–15 Connacht Rugby season

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2014–15 Connacht Rugby season
Ground(s)Galway Sportsgrounds
(Capacity: 7,800)
CEOWillie Ruane
Coach(es)Pat Lam
Captain(s)John Muldoon
Most appearancesGeorge Naoupu (28)
Top scorerJack Carty (119)
Most triesMatt Healy (9)
Pro12
Challenge Cup		7th
Quarter-finals
1st kit
2nd kit
3rd kit
← 2013–14 2015–16 →

The 2014–15 season was Irish provincial rugby union side Connacht Rugby's fourteenth season competing in the Pro12, and the team's nineteenth season as a professional side. It was also Pat Lam's second season in charge of the side.

As well as playing in the Pro12, Connacht competed in the newly established Rugby Challenge Cup, having played in the now-defunct Heineken Cup the previous season. The second-tier side, the Connacht Eagles, competed in the 2014–15 British and Irish Cup.

Season[edit]

Background[edit]

The 2014–15 season saw the Heineken Cup replaced by the 20 team Rugby Champions Cup and the creation of this competition meant the Pro12 standings would have a greater impact on European qualification. Under the previous format, the Pro12 provided a minimum of ten teams, with Scotland and Italy providing two teams each, and Ireland and Wales both providing three.[citation needed]

The new system saw one place now being reserved for the highest finishing Pro12 team from each of four participating countries, along with three other qualifiers based solely on league position, for a total of seven teams. The other teams were to be entered in the new second-tier competition, the Rugby Challenge Cup. This meant Connacht were no longer required to finish ahead of another Irish province or rely on an Irish victory in a European tournament to qualify for the top tier of European rugby.[citation needed]

The final tournament spot in the 2015–16 Rugby Champions Cup was decided by a playoff involving the Pro12's highest finishing team that is not already qualified, along with the seventh highest finishing clubs from France's Top 14 and the English Premiership.[1]

On the player front, Connacht entered the season with a new captain following the forced retirement of Craig Clarke due to persistent concussions.[2] They will also be without the playing services of former captain and centurion Gavin Duffy, whose contract was not renewed the previous season. It was later announced that he was taking up a role with the province's commercial team.[3]

Due to their 10th-place finish in the 2013–14 Pro12, Connacht were entered into the 2014–15 Rugby Challenge Cup, which replaced the European Challenge Cup, a competition Connacht hadn't competed in since the 2010–11 season. The draw for the Challenge Cup pool stages took place on 10 June 2014, with Connacht named in the same group as Exeter Chiefs, Bayonne and La Rochelle.[4]

September[edit]

Connacht opened the season with victories at home against Newport Gwent Dragons and away to Edinburgh.[5][6] The team then beat provincial rivals Leinster at home, the 10–9 win giving Connacht their first inter-provincial victory since beating Leinster in the same fixture in the 2012–13 season.[7] Connacht experienced their first defeat of the season in the next round, losing to Glasgow Warriors in their final game of the month.[8][9]

October[edit]

Following their opening defeat of the season to Glasgow, Connacht opened the month of October with a draw at home to Cardiff Blues the following week,[9] but were able to return to winning ways before the first break for European matches, beating Benetton Treviso 6–9 in Italy.[10] Connacht opened their 2014–15 Challenge Cup campaign at the Sportsgrounds on 18 October with a 48–12 bonus point victory over Top 14 side La Rochelle.[11] The following week, however, saw the province beaten 33–13 away to Exeter Chiefs.[12] Connacht's first game after the European break saw them beaten 26–11 in Wales by the Ospreys on Halloween night.[13]

November[edit]

A break in the league for the November internationals meant that Connacht didn't play a competitive match in the month until 21 November. When they returned to action, Connacht picked up a comfortable bonus point victory over Zebre at home, posting a final score of 43–3.[14] The team followed this with a 14–8 win against 6th place rivals Scarlets at the Sportsgrounds to keep their unbeaten home record intact.[15]

December[edit]

Connacht opened the month of December with a crucial double-header against Bayonne in the Challenge Cup, and won the first of these games comfortably, picking up a bonus point in a 42–19 victory to narrow the gap to Exeter Chiefs.[16] Connacht named an entirely new team for the return leg, and despite being 11 points down in the second half, the team fought back to win 27–29, with academy scrum-half Caolin Blade scoring both tries.[17]

After the two European matches, Connacht finished 2015 with two provincial derbies in a row over the Christmas period. Connacht lost the first of these matches against Leinster in Dublin.[18] This loss was followed by a narrow away defeat to Ulster on St. Stephen's Day in the last match of the calendar year.[19]

January[edit]

On New Year's Day, Connacht picked up where they had left off in 2014, with another league match against Irish opposition. In the final derby of this period, Connacht managed to pick up a win, beating Munster 24–16.[20] Following this high however, Connacht were beaten at home for the first time in the season, losing 13–16 to Edinburgh.[21] The poor form was carried into Europe as Connacht lost another home match in quick succession, being beaten 24–33 by the Exeter Chiefs.[22] The team was able to recover the following week to beat La Rochelle and secure a place in the knock-out stage of the competition.[23]

February[edit]

There were no games in the opening weekend of the month as the 2015 Six Nations Championship was taking place. On 15 February Connacht returned to league action, suffering a 32–14 loss away to Scarlets.[24] The following week, Connacht were away to another Welsh side, this time facing Newport Gwent Dragons, and recovered from the previous week's disappointment to emerge 25–30 winners.[25]

March[edit]

Connacht opened the month of March with bonus point victory over Benetton Treviso, crushing the Italians 53–5.[26] On 6 March, Connacht faced Cardiff Blues away ahead of a tough series of matches against teams in the play-off places, making the game important in the qualification for the 2015–16 Rugby Champions Cup. Connacht were beaten 18–17 by a late try, after the referee controversially gave a penalty against Connacht with the game in overtime after Cardiff appeared to have knocked the ball on. In the aftermath of the game, Pat Lam criticised touch judge Leighton Hodges and lodged a complaint with the league.[27] Lam was later charged with misconduct for his comments.[28] In spite of Lam's comments and the misconduct charge, Hodges refereed Connacht's next match, away to Munster in Thomond Park, where Connacht were beaten 42–20.[29]

April[edit]

The team's first match in April was a Challenge Cup quarter-final against Gloucester in Kingsholm Stadium. After going in 14–0 down, Connacht held the hosts scoreless in the second half and pulled themselves back into the match with a penalty try. They couldn't make up the deficit however, and Connacht were knocked out of the Cup by 14–7.[30]

In their return to the Pro12, Connacht suffered their second home league defeat of the season, this time to Ulster. After another poor first half performance, Connacht went in 17–0 down, only to earn a losing bonus with a final score of 20–27.[31] Another home defeat followed, with the team shipping five tries against Glasgow Warriors in a 13–31 defeat, leaving the team in danger of finishing behind Edinburgh in 8th place and missing not only automatic qualification for the Champions Cup, but also the chance at a play-off for the final spot.[32]

May[edit]

Connacht were able to start the month with their first win since 1 March, beating Zebre 10–40 in Italy, to earn a try bonus and leave themselves with a chance of reaching the Champions Cup. In the final round of the regular season, on 16 May, Connacht faced Ospreys, while their rivals for the Champions Cup places, Scarlets and Edinburgh, faced Benetton Treviso and Leinster respectively. Connacht picked up a losing bonus, while Scarlets won and Edinburgh were beaten by 13, leaving Connacht in 7th place, their highest finish in a regular league season, but just short of qualification to the Champions Cup.

Connacht proceeded to a play-off involving Bordeaux Bègles, the 7th placed team in the 2014–15 Top 14 season, and Gloucester the 2014–15 Rugby Challenge Cup winners. Connacht played Gloucester away on 24 May for the chance to face Bordeaux. Connacht were leading 18–25 in the final minutes of the game, but a controversial penalty decision from Romain Poite gave Gloucester a try-scoring opportunity and sent the match to extra time, after which Gloucester emerged 40–32 victors.[33]

Coaching and Management Team[edit]

Role Name Nationality
Head coach Pat Lam[34]  Samoa[a]
Assistant coach Dan McFarland[34]  England
Backs/Kicking Coach Andre Bell[35]  New Zealand
Skills Coach Dave Ellis[34]  New Zealand
Chief executive Willie Ruane[36]  Ireland
Team manager Tim Allnut[34]  New Zealand
Academy manager/
Eagles Head Coach 		Nigel Carolan[34]  Ireland
Resource Coach(es) Cory Browne[34]
Jimmy Duffy[34] 		 New Zealand
 Ireland
Head of Fitness Paul Bunce[37]  New Zealand
Performance analyst Conor McPhillips[34]  Ireland
Head physio Gavin Malouf[34]  Australia

Players[edit]

Senior Playing Squad[edit]

[38] Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.

Player Position Union
Jason Harris-Wright Hooker Ireland Ireland
David Heffernan Hooker Ireland Ireland
Seán Henry Hooker Ireland Ireland
Tom McCartney Hooker New Zealand New Zealand
Rodney Ah You Prop Ireland Ireland
Finlay Bealham Prop Ireland Ireland
Denis Buckley Prop Ireland Ireland
JP Cooney Prop Ireland Ireland
Ronan Loughney Prop Ireland Ireland
Nathan White* Prop New Zealand New Zealand
Mick Kearney Lock Ireland Ireland
Aly Muldowney* Lock England England
Danny Qualter Lock Ireland Ireland
Quinn Roux Lock South Africa South Africa
Michael Swift* Lock England England
Andrew Browne Flanker Ireland Ireland
Mata Fafita* Flanker Tonga Tonga
Willie Faloon Flanker Ireland Ireland
Jake Heenan Flanker New Zealand New Zealand
John Muldoon (c) Flanker Ireland Ireland
Eoin McKeon Number 8 Ireland Ireland
George Naoupu Number 8 New Zealand New Zealand
Player Position Union
John Cooney Scrum-half Ireland Ireland
Kieran Marmion Scrum-half Ireland Ireland
Ian Porter Scrum-half Ireland Ireland
Jack Carty Fly-half Ireland Ireland
Miah Nikora* Fly-half New Zealand New Zealand
Craig Ronaldson Fly-half Ireland Ireland
Bundee Aki Centre New Zealand New Zealand
Conor Finn Centre Ireland Ireland
Robbie Henshaw Centre Ireland Ireland
Dave McSharry Centre Ireland Ireland
Shane O'Leary* Centre Canada Canada
Niyi Adeolokun* Wing Nigeria Nigeria
Fionn Carr Wing Ireland Ireland
Matt Healy Wing Ireland Ireland
Tiernan O'Halloran Wing Ireland Ireland
Danie Poolman Wing South Africa South Africa
Shane Layden Fullback Ireland Ireland
Darragh Leader Fullback Ireland Ireland
Mils Muliaina Fullback New Zealand New Zealand
  • Players qualified to play for Ireland on dual nationality or residency grounds*
  • Senior 15's internationally capped players in bold

Academy squad[edit]

[39] Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.

Player Position Union
Shane Delahunt Hooker Ireland Ireland year 1
Jack Dineen Hooker Ireland Ireland year 1
Jamie Dever Prop Ireland Ireland year 2
Saba Meunargia Prop Ireland Ireland year 2
Jacob Walshe Prop Ireland Ireland year 2
Ultan Dillane Lock Ireland Ireland year 3
Seán O'Brien Lock Ireland Ireland year 2
James Connolly Flanker Ireland Ireland year 2
Marc Kelly Flanker Ireland Ireland year 1
Rory Moloney Flanker Ireland Ireland year 2
Eoghan Masterson Number 8 Scotland Scotland year 2
Player Position Union
Caolin Blade Scrum-half Ireland Ireland year 2
Conor McKeon Outside-half Ireland Ireland year 1
Rory Parata Centre Ireland Ireland year 2
Peter Robb Centre Ireland Ireland year 1
Ciaran Gaffney Wing Ireland Ireland year 1
David Panter Fullback England England year 2

Preseason transfers[edit]

For player movement in the Pro12 leading up to the 2014–15 season, see List of 2014–15 Pro12 transfers.

Playing kit[edit]

Connacht's official kit supplier for the season was Australian manufacturer BLK sport, who announced a comprehensive four-year agreement to supply the full range of apparel for all of Connacht Rugby's representative teams and support staff in 2013.[60]

Connacht's main shirt sponsors were Irish sporting retailer Lifestyle Sports. Lifestyle Sports signed a four-season deal with the province, to will see their logo feature on the jersey until the end of the 2017–18 season, taking over from the previous season's sponsors Mazda Ireland.[61]

Results[edit]

Pro12[edit]

Main article: 2014–15 Pro12
Pro12 Table watch · edit · discuss
Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points For Points Against Points Difference Tries For Tries Against Try Bonus Losing Bonus Points
1 Scotland Glasgow Warriors (CH) 22 16 1 5 540 360 +180 63 33 9 0 75
2 Ireland Munster (RU) 22 15 2 5 581 367 +214 68 31 8 3 75
3 Wales Ospreys (SF) 22 16 1 5 546 358 +188 53 30 6 2 74
4 Ireland Ulster (SF) 22 14 2 6 524 372 +152 59 34 6 3 69
5 Ireland Leinster 22 11 3 8 483 375 +108 54 39 8 4 62
6 Wales Scarlets 22 11 3 8 452 388 +64 43 39 4 3 57
7 Ireland Connacht 22 10 1 11 447 419 +28 49 48 3 5 50
8 Scotland Edinburgh 22 10 1 11 399 419 −20 41 48 3 3 48
9 Wales Newport Gwent Dragons 22 8 0 14 393 484 −91 38 55 4 6 42
10 Wales Cardiff Blues 22 7 1 14 430 545 −115 46 57 3 2 35
11 Italy Benetton Treviso 22 3 1 18 306 641 −335 34 81 2 3 19
12 Italy Zebre 22 3 0 19 266 639 −373 27 80 0 3 15

If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:[62]

  1. number of matches won;
  2. the difference between points for and points against;
  3. the number of tries scored;
  4. the most points scored;
  5. the difference between tries for and tries against;
  6. the fewest red cards received;
  7. the fewest yellow cards received.

Green background (rows 1 to 4) are play-off places, and earn a place in the 2015–16 European Rugby Champions Cup.
Blue background indicates teams outside the play-off places, that earn a place in the European Rugby Champions Cup. The top team from each country will qualify.
Yellow background indicates the team that advances to a play-off semi-final against Aviva Premiership side Gloucester, who qualified for the play-off as the 2014–15 European Rugby Challenge Cup winners.[63]
Plain background indicates teams that earn a place in the 2015–16 European Rugby Challenge Cup.

6 September 2014
17:00
Connacht Ireland16–11Wales Newport Gwent Dragons (1 BP)
Try: E. McKeon 9' m
Poolman 54' m
Pen: Leader (2/3) 15', 51'		ReportTry: Cudd 23' m
Pen: Tovey (2/3) 30', 75'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 4,123
Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR)
12 September 2014
19:35
(1 BP) Edinburgh Scotland13–14Ireland Connacht
Try: du Preez 40' c
Con: Heathcote (1/1)
Pen: Heathcote (2/3) 3', 9'		ReportTry: Faloon 75' m
Pen: Leader (3/5) 23', 37', 55'
Murrayfield Stadium
Attendance: 3,777
Referee: Gary Conway (IRFU)
19 September 2014
19:35
Connacht Ireland10–9Ireland Leinster (1 BP)
Try: Marmion 54' c
Con: Carty (1/1)
Pen: Carty (1/2) 21'		ReportPen: Madigan (3/4) 2', 11', 15'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 5,917
Referee: John Lacey (IRFU)[64]
26 September 2014
19:35
(1 BP) Glasgow Warriors Scotland39–21Ireland Connacht
Try: Hogg (2) 19' c, 46' m
Pyrgos 36' c
Van der Merwe 61' c
Bennett 74' c
Con: Weir (4/5)
Pen: Weir (2/2) 30', 71'		ReportTry: McSharry 23' c
Leader 56' c
Penalty try 68' c
Con: Porter (3/3)
Scotstoun Stadium
Attendance: 5,821
Referee: Claudio Blessano (FIR)
3 October 2014
19:35
Connacht Ireland24–24Wales Cardiff Blues
Try: Henshaw 31' c
Marmion 42' c
White 46' c
Con: Ronaldson (3/3)
Pen: Ronaldson (1/1) 6'		ReportTry: A. Thomas 19' c
Cook 69' c
Andrews 78' c
Con: Patchell (3/3)
Pen: Patchell (1/1) 36'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 5,247
Referee: Neil Paterson (SRU)
10 October 2014
20:00
(1 BP) Benetton Treviso Italy6–9Ireland Connacht
Pen: Hayward (2/3) 6', 38'ReportPen: Ronaldson (3/5) 17', 30', 67'
Stadio Comunale di Monigo
Attendance: 3,025
Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU)
31 October 2014
19:35
Ospreys Wales26–11Ireland Connacht
Try: Hassler 48' c
Roberts 61' c
Con: Davies (2/2)
Pen: Davies (4/6) 4', 51', 56', 66'		ReportTry: E. McKeon 77' m
Pen: Ronaldson (2/5) 36', 46'
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 6,010
Referee: John Lacey (IRFU)
21 November 2014
19:35
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland43–3Italy Zebre
Try: Poolman 27' m
Kearney 46' c
Penalty try 61' c
Jo. Cooney 65' m
Carty 68' c
Con: Porter (1/2)
Nikora (1/1)
Carty (1/2)
Pen: Porter (4/6) 13', 19', 34', 38'		ReportPen: Odiete (1/2) 17'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 5,486
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
29 November 2014
19:30
Connacht Ireland14–8Wales Scarlets (1 BP)
Try: Healy 48' m
Pen: Carty (3/4) 19', 47', 63'		ReportTry: Robinson 3' m
Pen: S. Shingler (1/2) 1'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 5,631
Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU)
19 December 2014
19:35
Leinster Ireland21–11Ireland Connacht
Try: Jennings 12' m
Kirchner 78' c
Con: Gopperth (1/2)
Pen: Gopperth (3/3) 16', 41', 49'		ReportTry: Naoupu 73' m
Pen: Carty (2/3) 31', 40'
RDS Arena
Attendance: 16,007
Referee: Ian Davies (WRU)
26 December 2014
18:45
Ulster Ireland13–10Ireland Connacht (1 BP)
Try: Gilroy 19' c
Con: Jackson (1/1)
Pen: Jackson (2/4) 14', 62'		ReportTry: Muldowney 66' c
Con: Carty (1/1)
Pen: Carty (1/1) 4'
Kingspan Stadium
Attendance: 17,107
Referee: John Lacey (IRFU)
1 January 2015
17:00
Connacht Ireland24–16Ireland Munster
Try: Marmion 29' c
Ronaldson 42' c
Muldowney 60' c
Con: Ronaldson (1/1)
Leader (2/2)
Pen: Nikora (1/1) 55'		ReportTry: P. O'Mahony 10' c
Con: Keatley (1/1)
Pen: Keatley (3/3) 7', 15', 38'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 7,745
Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU)
9 January 2015
19:35
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland13–16Scotland Edinburgh
Try: Penalty try 37' c
Con: Nikora (1/1)
Pen: Nikora (2/3) 23', 40'		ReportTry: Denton 16' c
Con: Hidalgo-Clyne (1/1)
Pen: Hidalgo-Clyne (3/4) 44', 49', 70'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 5,267
Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU)
15 February 2015
12:45
(1 BP) Scarlets Wales32–14Ireland Connacht
Try: Tagicakibau 23' m
Robinson 27' c
J. Williams 33' c
J. Davies 50' c
Con: S. Shingler (3/4)
Pen: S. Shingler (2/2) 13', 17'		ReportTry: Adeolokun 72' m
Pen: Carty (3/3) 4', 39', 47'
Parc y Scarlets
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR)
22 February 2015
16:00
(1 BP) Newport Gwent Dragons Wales25–30Ireland Connacht
Try: Amos (2) 32' m, 80' c
Dixon 65' c
Con: Prydie (2/3)
Pen: Prydie (2/2) 4', 39'		ReportTry: Ronaldson 7' c
Masterson 22' c
Kearney 75' c
Con: Carty (2/2)
Leader (1/1)
Pen: Carty (1/3) 11'
Leader (2/2) 57', 60'
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 4,180
Referee: Lloyd Linton (SRU)
1 March 2015
17:15
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland53–5Italy Benetton Treviso
Try: O'Halloran 5' c
Heenan 45' c
Healy (2) 51' c, 72' c
Buckley 54' c
Muldowney 67' m
Poolman 79' c
Con: Ronaldson (6/7)
Pen: Ronaldson (2/2) 14', 31'		ReportTry: Christie 34' m
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 3,880
Referee: Andrew McMenemy (SRU)
6 March 2015
19:35
Cardiff Blues Wales18–17Ireland Connacht (1 BP)
Try: Tuculet (2) 56' m, 80' c
Con: Patchell (1/2)
Pen: Patchell (2/2) 24', 64'		ReportTry: Heenan 5' c
Muldowney 70' c
Con: Ronaldson (2/2)
Pen: Ronaldson (1/1) 22'
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 5,624
Referee: Lloyd Linton (SRU)
28 March 2015
17:15
(1 BP) Munster Ireland42–20Ireland Connacht
Try: B. Holland 12' c
Casey 55' c
Zebo 63' c
Smith 72' c
Hurley 74' c
Earls 79' c
Con: Keatley (3/3)
Hanrahan (3/3)		ReportTry: Nikora 68' c
O'Leary 78' c
Con: Nikora (2/2)
Pen: Carty (2/3) 1', 45'
Thomond Park
Attendance: 18,762
Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU)
11 April 2015
14:40
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland20–27Ireland Ulster (1 BP)
Try: Healy 44' c
O'Halloran 70' c
Con: Nikora (1/1)
Carty (1/1)
Pen: Nikora (1/1) 51'
Carty (1/1) 62'		ReportTry: Ludik 4' m
Bowe (2) 31' m, 56' m
Gilroy 34' c
Best 64' m
Con: Pienaar (1/5)
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 5,921
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)
25 April 2015
13:05
Connacht Ireland13–31Scotland Glasgow Warriors (1 BP)
Try: Muldowney 53' c
Con: Carty (1/1)
Pen: Carty (2/5) 6', 16'		ReportTry: Matawalu (2) 24' m, 38' c
Hogg 35' c
Ashe 67' c
Seymour 73' m
Con: Russell (3/5)
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 4,430
Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR)
9 May 2015
18:30
Zebre Italy10–40Ireland Connacht (1 BP)
Try: Leonard 26' c
Con: Orquera (1/1)
Pen: Orquera (1/1) 34'		ReportTry: Jo. Cooney (2) 11' c, 35' c
Healy 29' c
Masterson 54' m
O'Halloran 70' c
O'Leary 73' c
Con: Carty (3/4)
C. McKeon (2/2)
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
Attendance: 2,680
Referee: Ian Davies (WRU)
16 May 2015
15:00
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland20–24Wales Ospreys
Try: Masterson 53' c
Buckley 80' c
Con: Carty (2/2)
Pen: Carty (2/2) 41', 49'		ReportTry: Biggar 15' c
John 25' c
Webb 27' c
Con: Biggar (3/3)
Pen: Biggar (1/1) 5'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 5,226
Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR)

Rugby Challenge Cup[edit]

Main article: 2014–15 Rugby Challenge Cup

Pool 2[edit]

Pos Team
 Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts
1 England Exeter Chiefs (2) 6 5 0 1 212 97 +115 26 11 4 1 25
2 Ireland Connacht (8) 6 4 0 2 186 144 +42 23 16 4 0 20
3 France Bayonne 6 2 0 4 106 165 −59 10 18 0 1 9
4 France La Rochelle 6 1 0 5 84 182 −98 10 24 0 0 4
Source: espn.co.uk
18 October 2014
17:00
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland48–12France La Rochelle
Try: Carty 5' c
Marmion 9' m
Henshaw (2) 31' c, 45' c
Loughney 35' c
Poolman 52' m
Healy 64' c
Con: Ronaldson (4/5) 5', 32', 37', 46'
Porter (1/2) 65'
Pen: Ronaldson (1/1) 15'		ReportTry: Cler 42' m
Bouldoire 69' c
Con: Le Bail (1/2) 70'
Galway Sportsgrounds, Galway
Attendance: 4,735
Referee: Andrew McMenemy (Scotland)
25 October 2014
15:00
(1 BP) Exeter Chiefs England33–13Ireland Connacht
Try: Chudley 9' c
Slade 20' m
Welch 40' c
Ewers 46' c
White 56' c
Con: Steenson (4/5) 9', 40', 47', 57'		ReportTry: Carr 73' c
Con: Ronaldson (1/1) 74'
Pen: Ronaldson (2/2) 5', 37'
Sandy Park, Exeter
Attendance: 8,484
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
6 December 2014
17:00
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland42–19France Bayonne
Try: Poolman (2) 19' c, 39' m
Aki 60' c
McSharry 69' c
Faloon 72' c
Con: Carty (3/4) 20', 61', 70'
Ronaldson (1/1) 73'
Pen: Carty (3/4) 11', 53', 59'		ReportTry: Lapeyrade 45' c
Con: Otazo (1/1) 46'
Pen: Bustos Moyano (4/5) 5', 14', 16', 29'
Galway Sportsgrounds, Galway
Attendance: 4,425
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
13 December 2014
20:45
Bayonne France27–29Ireland Connacht
Try: Vaka 3' c
Ugalde 17' c
Sayerse 41' c
Con: Loustalot (3/3) 3', 18', 42'
Pen: Loustalot (2/2) 34', 50'		ReportTry: Blade (2) 27' c, 77' c
Con: Nikora (2/2) 28', 78'
Pen: Nikora (5/6) 6', 30', 37', 57', 67'
Stade Jean Dauger, Bayonne
Attendance: 4,980
Referee: Ian Davies (Wales)
18 January 2015
15:15
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland24–33England Exeter Chiefs
Try: Healy (2) 5' m, 74' c
Faloon 23' m
Poolman 38' c
Con: Carty (2/4) 39', 75'		ReportTry: Penalty try 19' c
Mumm 45' c
Armand 62' c
Con: Slade (3/3) 20', 46', 63'
Pen: Slade (4/5) 35', 43', 57', 70'
Galway Sportsgrounds, Galway
Attendance: 5,088
Referee: Alexandre Ruiz (France)
24 January 2015
18:30
La Rochelle France20–30Ireland Connacht (1 BP)
Try: Penalty try 32' c,
Meron 38' c
Con: Barraque (2/2) 33', 39'
Pen: Barraque (2/2) 9', 23'		ReportTry: Marmion 2' m
McKeon 46' m
Adeolokun 74' c
Healy 76' c
Con: Carty (2/4) 75', 78'
Pen: Carty (2/3) 16', 37'
Stade Marcel-Deflandre, La Rochelle
Attendance: 10,068
Referee: Neil Paterson (Scotland)

Quarter-finals[edit]

3 April 2015
19:45
Gloucester England14–7Ireland Connacht
Try: Sharples 20' c
Meakes 30' c
Con: Laidlaw (2/2) 21', 31'		ReportTry: Penalty try 65' c
Con: Carty (1/1) 66'
Kingsholm Stadium
Attendance: 13,236
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (FFR)

Champions Cup play-offs[edit]

Main article: 2015–16 European Rugby Champions–Challenge Cup play-offs

Match 1[edit]

24 May 2015
15:30 GMT
Gloucester England40−32
(a.e.t.)		Ireland Connacht
Try: Moriarty 1' c
Sharples 26' m
Meakes 80' c
Dawidiuk 95' m
May 98' c
Con: Laidlaw (3/5) 1', 80', 98'
Pen: Laidlaw (2/3) 19', 43'
Hook (1/1) 92'		ReportTry: J. Cooney 8' c
Carty 29' c
Healy (2) 60' m, 92' c
Con: Carty (3/4) 9', 30', 92'
Pen: Carty (2/3) 7', 79'
Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester
Attendance: 7,633
Referee: Romain Poite (FFR)
FB 15 England Charlie Sharples downward-facing red arrow 64'
RW 14 England Jonny May
OC 13 Australia Bill Meakes
IC 12 England Billy Twelvetrees (c)
LW 11 England Henry Purdy downward-facing red arrow 50'
FH 10 Wales James Hook
SH 9 Scotland Greig Laidlaw
N8 8 England Ross Moriarty downward-facing red arrow 71' upward-facing green arrow 88'
OF 7 Wales Dan Thomas downward-facing red arrow 33' upward-facing green arrow 44' downward-facing red arrow 65'
BF 6 England Jacob Rowan
RL 5 England Tom Palmer
LL 4 England Tom Savage
TP 3 New Zealand John Afoa yellow card 33' to 43' downward-facing red arrow 88'
HK 2 Wales Richard Hibbard downward-facing red arrow 59'
LP 1 England Nick Wood downward-facing red arrow 65'
Replacements:
HK 16 England Darren Dawidiuk upward-facing green arrow 59'
PR 17 England Yann Thomas upward-facing green arrow 65'
PR 18 England Shaun Knight upward-facing green arrow 33' downward-facing red arrow 44' upward-facing green arrow 88'
LK 19 England Elliott Stooke upward-facing green arrow 71'
FL 20 England Lewis Ludlow upward-facing green arrow 65' downward-facing red arrow 88'
SH 21 England Dan Robson upward-facing green arrow 64'
FH 22 England Billy Burns
FB 23 England Rob Cook upward-facing green arrow 50'
Coach:
Ireland David Humphreys
FB 15 Ireland Tiernan O'Halloran downward-facing red arrow 65'
RW 14 Ireland Fionn Carr downward-facing red arrow 75'
OC 13 Ireland Robbie Henshaw
IC 12 New Zealand Bundee Aki
LW 11 Ireland Matt Healy
FH 10 Ireland Jack Carty
SH 9 Ireland John Cooney downward-facing red arrow 64'
N8 8 Ireland Eoin McKeon downward-facing red arrow 71'
OF 7 Scotland Eoghan Masterson yellow card 55' to 65' downward-facing red arrow 33' upward-facing green arrow 44'
BF 6 Ireland John Muldoon (c)
RL 5 England Aly Muldowney
LL 4 New Zealand George Naoupu downward-facing red arrow 54'
TP 3 Ireland Rodney Ah You downward-facing red arrow 54'
HK 2 New Zealand Tom McCartney downward-facing red arrow 70' upward-facing green arrow 79' downward-facing red arrow 90'
LP 1 Ireland Denis Buckley yellow card 33' to 43'
Replacements:
HK 16 Ireland Dave Heffernan yellow card 94' to 100' upward-facing green arrow 70' red cross icon 79' to 90'
PR 17 Ireland JP Cooney upward-facing green arrow 33' downward-facing red arrow 44'
PR 18 Ireland Finlay Bealham upward-facing green arrow 54'
LK 19 Ireland Andrew Browne upward-facing green arrow 54'
FL 20 Ireland James Connolly upward-facing green arrow 71'
SH 21 Ireland Ian Porter upward-facing green arrow 64'
FH 22 New Zealand Miah Nikora upward-facing green arrow 75'
CE 23 Canada Shane O'Leary upward-facing green arrow 65'
Coach:
Samoa Pat Lam

Awards and recognition[edit]

At the end of the 2014–15 Pro12 season, an Awards evening was held in the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, with Connacht among those honoured both as a team and for individual performance.[65]

Award Recipient
Pro12 Fair Play award Connacht
Pro12 Dream Team Denis Buckley
Pro12 Dream Team Robbie Henshaw

Connacht held their own awards ceremony in May, to acknowledge the services of individual players.[66]

Award Recipient
Players' Player of the Year Robbie Henshaw
Fans' Player of the Year Robbie Henshaw
Back of the Year Matt Healy
Forward of the Year Denis Buckley
Team Man of the Year Aly Muldowney
Academy Player of the Year Eoghan Masterson
Try of the Year Kieran Marmion, v Leinster, September 2014

Connacht also had awards throughout the season for the Player of the Month, as voted by the team's supporters.[67][68][69][70][71][72]

Month Award Winner
September 2014 Denis Buckley
October 2014 George Naoupu
November 2014 Matt Healy
December 2014 Tom McCartney
January 2015 Matt Healy
February 2015 Aly Muldowney
March 2015 Eoghan Masterson
April 2015 Rodney Ah You

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ New Zealand-born and qualified for Samoa, Lam has represented both countries, but last played rugby for Samoa.

References[edit]

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