A comprehensive success which yielded seven tries helped Connacht move off bottom of the table in Pool 4.

Connacht opened the scoring after nine minutes when secondrow Mark McConnell crossed.

Connacht ran-in two more tries before half-an-hour had elapsed from left winger Pat Duignan, after a swift backline move, and then full back Simon Allnut; Elwood added the points to Allnut's try.

Connacht continued to press home their advantage and were rewarded when number eight, Martyn Steffert was drive over the line. Elwood converted to leave the score 24-0 at the interval.

Steaua Bucharest started the second half in more determined fashion and reduced the deficit when right-wing, Daniel Boldor, set up centre Ionut Tofan, who touched down under the post. Outhalf Virgiliu Popoisteanu added the conversion.

But Connacht were swift to respond and three tries in the final quarter from Matt Mostyn, Jimmy Screene in the 66th minute, which Elwood converted, and Marty Steffert left the westerners comfortable winners at the final whistle.

CONNACHT: S Allnut; M Mostyn, M Deane, M Murphy, P Duignan; E Elwood, S McIvor; J Screene, B Jackman, M Cahill, G Webster, M McConnell, B Gavin, M Steffert, (Young Munster). Replacements: J Maher, for J Screene (24 mins); C Rigney for G Webster (50 mins); S McDonald for B Jackman (57 mins); J Screene for M Cahill (57 mins); E Brennan for I Dillon (60 mins).

STEAUA BUCHAREST: F Balmus; D Boldor, G Brezoianu, I Tofan, Marian Dumitru; V Popisteanu, M Dumitrescu; F Dinu, F Vasulcan, S Mocanu, C Mocanu, C Draguceanu (capt), S Rentea, A Guita, M Mihalache. Replacements: M Dragomir for C Mocanu (injured, 38 mins); E Mitu for M Dumitrescu (half-time); V Ionica for F Dinu (half-time); Mihai Dumitru for S Mocanu (65 mins); D Tudosa for F Vasulcan (72 mins); M Stan for G Brezoianu (77 mins);

Referee: R Goodliffe (RFU).