Narbonne 18 Connacht 27:Challenge Cup: Another win in France, and another step forward for the province that continues to defy its historical odds. Connacht are poised for a giant leap, and with a nine-point advantage going into next Saturday's home leg, a first European Challenge Cup semi-final beckons.
For the first time in three seasons Connacht exited the Parc des Sports et de l'Amitié with a win. In the end it was desperately hard-fought, particularly in the hostile environment that is typical of French rugby. Not surprisingly it is that milieu Connacht coach Michael Bradley wants to recreate in the Galway Sportsground next weekend in an effort to make home advantage count.
"It's a call to arms really. What we saw in Narbonne was home support making a difference, particularly at the start of the second half. We are now looking for that same atmosphere next week because it could be a big factor."
In the psychological battle of the first half Connacht came up trumps with a three-try haul, while Narbonne persisted with an expansive game plan that always met a brick wall of Connacht defenders.
However, the French outfit did possess a few aces in their pack, none more so than their rolling maul, which provided the platform for their two early-second-half tries.
"They perhaps misread the tactics in the first half, opting to go wide where we are strong in defence, but in the second half they were able to pin us in the corners and they were very strong maulers.
"Certainly their biggest threat is their maul, and if they get it going and hold their discipline, they will pose a problem," Bradley says.
And with injury concerns over Mike Walls, Darren Yapp and Michael Swift following Saturday's battle, Bradley is "mindful that the job is only half done".
"We are happy to be in the position we are in. We go into the home match like we did against Beziers with an advantage, which is great. But if they hold their discipline and get their maul going, then we could be in trouble."
Bradley will ensure this week's training focus is on defending that maul, while also concentrating on Connacht's increasing ability in attack. It produced three superb tries in a first half delayed by 15 minutes due to floodlight problems.
Darren Yapp created the first, which was finished by Matt Mostyn after 11 minutes, before enjoying the bonus of a second six minutes later. Narbonne centre Baluc-Rittener, under pressure from Yapp and McHugh, spilled the ball from Elwood's garryowen and it was Yapp who grabbed possession to race in from 35 metres.
Connacht consolidated their lead when Conor McPhillips finished his own chip-and-chase following a super counterattack from deep inside their own 22.
With Elwood once again on form, adding the three conversions, and McHugh adding a long-range penalty minutes before the break, Connacht looked unbeatable with a 24-3 lead.
However, the increasingly vocal 4,000 home supporters worked their magic on Narbonne, who transformed themselves and their tactics in the second half.
Boasting their three Argentinian internationals in the pack, they utilised the wind through outhalf Cedric Rosalen to maintain territorial pressure.
On 48 minutes their relentless maul provided number eight Gonzalo Longo with the first try, and within five minutes captain Olivier Olibeau added another from a pushover.
The conversion and a penalty from substitute Craig McMullen reduced the arrears to just six. With a 16 minutes of time remaining, and another 10 of injury, it was an agonising climax for Connacht, but at the death McHugh kicked a long-range effort to ensure Connacht added another French scalp to their improving tally.
SCORING SEQUENCE: 11 mins: Mostyn try, Elwood conversion 0-7; 17: Yapp try, Elwood conversion 0-14; 25: Rosalen penalty 3-14; 35: McPhillips try, Elwood conversion 3-21; 42: McHugh penalty 3-24; Half-time 3-24; 48: Longo try 8-24; 53: Olibeau try, Rosalen conversion 15-24; 64: McMullen penalty 18-24; 90: McHugh penalty 18-27.
NARBONNE: N Nadau; P Bazani, L Baluc-Rittener, P Garcia, H Candelon; C Rosalen, M Siro; J Garcia, F Rofes, M Scelzo, M Blair, O Olibeau (capt), P Short, B Giacobbi, G Longo. Replacements: S Petit for J Garcia; D Hunter for Giacobbi (both half-time); M Sierra for Hunter (64 mins); G Tutard for Bazani (65 mins); C McMullen for Rosalen (66 mins); DDouy for PM Garcia (73 mins); L Martine for Scelzo (75 mins).
CONNACHT: M McHugh; M Mostyn, D Yapp, T Allnutt (capt), C McPhillips; E Elwood, M Walls; D McFarland, B Jackman, A Clarke, D Browne, A Farley, M Swift, M Lacey, J O'Sullivan. Replacment: T Carter for Swift; T Robinson for Yapp; (both half-time); W O'Kelly for McFarland (55 mins); M McCarthy for Browne (55 mins); C O'Loughlin for Walls (68 mins); J Fogarty for Jackman (82 mins).
Referee: R Maybank (England)
