Jump to content

2015–16 Connacht Rugby season

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Connacht
2015–16 season
Head coachPat Lam
Chief executiveWillie Ruane
CaptainJohn Muldoon
Pro122nd (champions)
Challenge CupQuarter-finals
Top try scorerAll: Matt Healy (13)
Top points scorerAll: Jack Carty (99)
Highest home attendance7,800 v Glasgow Warriors
21 May 2016
Lowest home attendance3,274 v Cardiff Blues
3 October 2015
Average home attendance5,217
Home colours
Away colours
Third colours
← 2014–15 2016–17 →

The 2015–16 season was Irish provincial rugby union side Connacht Rugby's fifteenth season competing in the Pro12, and the team's twentieth season as a professional side. It was Pat Lam's third season in charge of the side. Connacht finished the season as league champions after defeating Leinster in the 2016 Pro12 Grand Final, the team's first trophy in its 131-year history.

As well as playing in the Pro12, Connacht competed in the Challenge Cup in Europe, having lost a play-off to enter the Champions Cup. The second-tier side the Connacht Eagles competed in the 2015–16 British and Irish Cup.

Background

[edit]

Competition schedule

[edit]

Having finished seventh in the 2014–15 Pro12 Connacht were entered into a play-off to qualify for the 2015–16 Champions Cup, but were beaten by Gloucester after extra time.[1] Following this defeat, Connacht were entered into the Challenge Cup. On 17 June 2015, Connacht were drawn into Pool 1 of the tournament along with French Top 14 side Brive, Newcastle Falcons from the English Premiership and Russian side Enisey-STM, who had entered the tournament through a qualifying competition.[2]

The early stages of the season were interrupted by the 2015 Rugby World Cup leading to a congested fixture list after the tournament ended. Due to this fixture pile up, Connacht were scheduled to play a game each week for 16 straight weeks after the tournament ended.[3]

Personnel changes

[edit]

The team came into the season without their long-serving forwards coach Dan McFarland, following his move to Glasgow Warriors. McFarland had joined Connacht as a player in 2000, where he retired and moved into coaching with the side.[4] He was replaced in the role by Jimmy Duffy, who had previously worked for the province's academy.[5]

On the playing front, the close season saw the retirement of Michael Swift, the team's former captain who had made a record 269 appearances for the province, 184 of these coming in the league, a competition record.[6] The close season also saw the departure of New Zealand centurion Mils Muliaina to Zebre one season after joining Connacht, and the previous season's loan transfers of John Cooney and Quinn Roux made permanent,[7][8] while lock Mick Kearney re-joined his home province of Leinster with Ben Marshall going in the opposite direction.[9][10]

Season

[edit]

Pre-season

[edit]

Connacht players returned to training for pre-season on 29 June 2015.[11] Robbie Henshaw and Kieran Marmion were not involved, having returned to training with the Ireland squad earlier in the month, ahead of the World Cup in September.[12] Nathan White was later called into the squad, following an injury to Marty Moore.[13] Marmion did not make the final squad for the tournament.[14]

Connacht played three friendlies in the run up to the season. On 7 August they faced French Top 14 side FC Grenoble, coached by former Connacht player Bernard Jackman, and were beaten 19–52 at home.[15] The following week saw another friendly against Top 14 side, with the team travelling to France to face Castres. Connacht were beaten again, this time by a score of 19–5.[16] The side's final pre-season game came on 21 August, when they faced Irish rivals Munster in Thomond Park. Putting out a near full strength side, Connacht won their final warm up game 12–28.[17]

September

[edit]

The opening game of the season was a home game Pro12 game against the Newport Gwent Dragons, with Connacht winning 29–23.[18] The following week saw the team travel to Scotland to face reigning champions Glasgow Warriors. After being down 23–6 at half-time, Connacht battled back in the second half but were ultimately to 33–32, earning two bonus points for the performance.[19] Following the second round, the league took a two-week break.

October

[edit]

The competition resumed in October, with Connacht facing Cardiff Blues in Galway, earning a try bonus point with a 36–31 victory.[20] The following week saw the team face Zebre, which yielded another bonus point win.[21] On 26 October, Connacht traveled to the Liberty Stadium to face the Ospreys who had been champions four times in the past. A 16–21 victory saw Connacht win away to the Welsh side for the first time since 2004.[22] On Halloween night, the team hosted Edinburgh at the Sportsgrounds, with a 14–9 victory the result.[23]

November

[edit]

On 6 November, Connacht faced Benetton Treviso in Galway, winning 33–19 without collecting a try bonus.[24] The league then took a hiatus to allow European competitions, which had been delayed by the World Cup, to take place. Connacht's opening game in the Challenge Cup saw them face Russian side Enisei-STM in Krasnoyarsk. This meant a near 6,000 kilometre trip to the Siberian city, taking nine hours across two flights for the 24 man squad that traveled.[25] The game was played in temperatures below –20 °C, but Connacht ultimately emerged as 14–31 victors, taking all five points in the process.[26] However, after the game Connacht's return home was delayed. A fault was found with the charter plane before takeoff. This meant alternate plans had to be made, and the travelling party was split into three, with the groups arriving back in Ireland via Amsterdam, London and Paris. Having planned to leave on the night of the game, the latest returning players had been delayed by three days, arriving on Tuesday night with a game against French side Brive to come on Saturday.[27] Despite the travel chaos and delayed return, Connacht defeated Brive 21–17 to go top of their pool.[28]

Connacht returned to Pro12 action on 28 November in their first inter-provincial derby of the season, facing Munster in Thomond Park. Having not won at the venue for 29 years, Connacht pulled off a 12–18 upset, their seventh win from the eight league games played. This left the team top of both the league and their European pool going into December.[29]

December

[edit]

Connacht's first game in December was away to Cardiff Blues, which ended in a 20–16 defeat.[30] On 11 December, Connacht faced the Newcastle Falcons in Galway in the Challenge Cup, winning 25–10.[31] A week later saw the return fixture take place in Kingston Park, with Connacht losing 29–5. This left Connacht top of the pool on 13 points, with Newcastle two points behind.[32] In the final game of 2015 Connacht faced Ulster in Galway on St. Stephen's Day, losing 3–10.[33]

January

[edit]

Connacht's first game of 2016 took place on New Year's Day, when they traveled to the RDS Arena to take on Leinster, a game which ended in a 13–0 defeat.[34] On 10 January, the team faced Scarlets in Wales, and were beaten 21–19, taking their Pro12 losing streak to four games.[35] The following week saw a return to European competition, with Connacht travelling to France to face Brive in a game they lost 21–18.[36] The following week, they faced Enisei-STM in Galway, winning 47–5 to top the group.[37] The losses to Brive and Newcastle meant that the team qualified for the quarter-finals with the lowest points tally of the group winners, meaning they would be the away team in their quarter-final, being drawn to face Grenoble, the fourth-highest finishing group winner.[38] On 30 January, Connacht faced Scarlets in the Sportsgrounds and won 30–17, their first Pro12 victory since November.[39]

February

[edit]

There was no game in the first week of February due to the beginning of the Six Nations Championship. On 11 February, Connacht faced Newport Gwent Dragons in Rodney Parade, beating them 21–26 and earning a try bonus point to go back to the top of the table.[40] The following week saw the team play Zebre in Italy, a game they won 34–51.[41] In their final game of the month, Connacht faced the Ospreys in the Sportsground, winning 30–22 to extend their lead at the top of the league table.[42]

March

[edit]

On 4 March, Connacht faced Edinburgh in Murrayfield and won with a bonus point to maintain their position as league leaders.[43] A break for the end of the Six Nations meant that only two games were played in March. In the second game, Connacht faced second-placed Leinster at home in an inter-provincial derby on 26 March, with a 7–6 victory seeing them extend their lead.[44]

April

[edit]

On 1 April, Connacht faced Ulster in Kingspan Stadium with an 18–10 defeat ending their six-game winning streak in the league.[45] The following week saw a return to European action, with the Challenge Cup quarter-final against Grenoble taking place. Despite scoring four tries, Connacht were on the wrong side of a 33–32 scoreline.[46] The team returned to league action on 16 April with another inter-provincial game, this time against Munster. A bonus point win left the team in second place ahead of Glasgow with two rounds to go.[47] Connacht then traveled to Italy to face bottom side Treviso, but in a shocking upset, the Italians won by a score of 22–21 thanks to a last gasp penalty from Jayden Hayward. However, the losing bonus point was enough to guarantee Connacht a top four finish and a first ever spot in the end-of-year playoffs.[48]

May

[edit]

On 7 May, Connacht faced Glasgow Warriors in a game that would decide home advantage for the playoff round. Connacht won 14–7 thanks to tries from Bundee Aki and Tiernan O'Halloran, to set up a home semi-final against the same opposition.[49] That semi-final took place on 21 May, with Connacht finishing 16–11 victors to set up a final against Leinster, the province's first final in the professional era.[50]

The final took place on 28 May in Murrayfield. Connacht won the game 20–10, with tries from O'Halloran, Niyi Adeolokun and Matt Healy. Captain and man-of-the-match on the day John Muldoon lifted the trophy, the team's first title in its 131-year history.[51]

Coaching and Management Team

[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Individuals may hold more than one non-WR nationality.

Role Name Union
Head Coach Pat Lam[52]  Samoa[a]
Team Manager Tim Allnut[52]  New Zealand
Chief Executive Willie Ruane[53]  Ireland
Forwards Coach Jimmy Duffy[5]  Ireland
Backs/Kicking Coach Andre Bell[54]  New Zealand
Skills Coach Dave Ellis[52]  New Zealand
Assistant Attack Coach/
Head Performance Analyst 		Conor McPhillips[52]  Ireland
Head of Fitness Paul Bunce[55]  New Zealand
Academy Manager Nigel Carolan[52]  Ireland

Players

[edit]

Senior Playing Squad

[edit]

[56] 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
Dave Heffernan 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 Ireland Ireland
Andrew Browne Lock Ireland Ireland
Ultan Dillane Lock Ireland Ireland
Ben Marshall Lock Ireland Ireland
Aly Muldowney* Lock England England
Danny Qualter Lock Ireland Ireland
Quinn Roux* Lock South Africa South Africa
Nepia Fox-Matamua Flanker New Zealand New Zealand
Jake Heenan Flanker New Zealand New Zealand
Eoghan Masterson Flanker Ireland Ireland
John Muldoon (c) Flanker Ireland Ireland
Eoin McKeon Number 8 Ireland Ireland
George Naoupu Number 8 New Zealand New Zealand
Player Position Union
Caolin Blade Scrum-half Ireland Ireland
John Cooney Scrum-half Ireland Ireland
Kieran Marmion Scrum-half Ireland Ireland
Ian Porter Scrum-half Ireland Ireland
Jack Carty Fly-half Ireland Ireland
AJ MacGinty Fly-half United States United States
Shane O'Leary* Fly-half Canada Canada
Bundee Aki Centre New Zealand New Zealand
Conor Finn Centre Ireland Ireland
Robbie Henshaw Centre Ireland Ireland
Dave McSharry Centre Ireland Ireland
Api Pewhairangi* Centre New Zealand New Zealand
Craig Ronaldson Centre Ireland Ireland
Niyi Adeolokun* Wing Nigeria Nigeria
Fionn Carr Wing Ireland Ireland
Matt Healy Wing Ireland Ireland
Danie Poolman* Wing South Africa South Africa
Darragh Leader Fullback Ireland Ireland
Tiernan O'Halloran Fullback Ireland Ireland
  • Players qualified to play for Ireland on dual nationality or residency grounds*.
  • Senior 15's internationally capped players in bold.
  • Irish Provinces were limited to 4 non-Irish eligible (NIE) players and 1 non-Irish qualified player (NIQ or "Project Player"). Connacht Rugby was exempted from this under a separate development arrangement.

Academy squad

[edit]

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 2
Jack Dineen Hooker Ireland Ireland year 2
Pat O'Toole Hooker Ireland Ireland year 1
Jamie Dever Prop Ireland Ireland year 3
Conor Kyne Prop Ireland Ireland year 1
Saba Meunargia Prop Ireland Ireland year 3
Conán O'Donnell Prop Ireland Ireland year 1
Jacob Walshe Prop Ireland Ireland year 3
Seán O'Brien Lock Ireland Ireland year 3
Cian Romaine Lock Ireland Ireland year 1
James Connolly Flanker Ireland Ireland year 3
Marc Kelly Flanker Ireland Ireland year 2
Stephen McVeigh Flanker Ireland Ireland year 1
Rory Moloney Flanker Ireland Ireland year 3
Player Position Union
Conor Lowndes Scrum-half Ireland Ireland year 1
Conor McKeon Fly-half Ireland Ireland year 2
Rory Parata Centre Ireland Ireland year 3
Peter Robb Centre Ireland Ireland year 2
Ciaran Gaffney Wing Ireland Ireland year 2
Ed O'Keefe Wing Ireland Ireland year 1
Cormac Brennan Fullback Ireland Ireland year 1

Preseason transfers

[edit]
For player movement in the Pro12 leading up to the 2015–16 season, see List of 2015–16 Pro12 transfers.

Playing kit

[edit]

Connacht's official kit supplier for the season was Australian manufacturer BLK sport, in the third year of a four-year agreement to supply apparel for all of Connacht Rugby's representative teams and support staff in 2013.[69] Connacht's main shirt sponsors were Irish sporting retailer Lifestyle Sports. Lifestyle Sports signed a four-season deal with the province, to see their logo feature on the jersey until the end of the 2017–18 season.[70]

Results

[edit]

Pro12

[edit]
Main article: 2015–16 Pro12
2015–16 Pro12 watch · edit · discuss
Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points For Points Against Points Diff Tries For Tries Against Try Bonus Losing Bonus Points
1 Ireland Leinster (RU) 22 16 0 6 458 290 +168 51 27 6 3 73
2 Ireland Connacht (CH) 22 15 0 7 507 406 +101 60 46 8 5 73
3 Scotland Glasgow Warriors (SF) 22 14 1 7 557 380 +177 68 37 8 6 72
4 Ireland Ulster (SF) 22 14 0 8 488 307 +181 61 29 8 5 69
5 Wales Scarlets 22 14 0 8 477 458 +19 45 54 2 5 63
6 Ireland Munster 22 13 0 9 459 417 +42 56 36 6 5 63
7 Wales Cardiff Blues 22 11 0 11 542 461 +81 62 53 5 7 56
8 Wales Ospreys 22 11 1 10 490 455 +35 55 49 6 3 55
9 Scotland Edinburgh 22 11 0 11 405 366 +39 41 36 2 8 54
10 Wales Newport Gwent Dragons 22 4 0 18 353 492 −139 33 57 0 10 26
11 Italy Zebre 22 5 0 17 308 718 −410 35 99 3 1 24
12 Italy Benetton Treviso 22 3 0 19 320 614 −294 35 79 0 8 20
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:[71]
  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) were play-off places, and earned places in the 2016–17 European Rugby Champions Cup.
Blue background indicates teams outside the play-off places that earned places in the European Rugby Champions Cup.
To facilitate the 2015 Rugby World Cup, there were no play-offs for the 2016–17 European Rugby Champions Cup; the 20th place went to the winner of the 2015–16 European Rugby Challenge Cup if not already qualified. Because Challenge Cup winner Montpellier qualified via the Top 14, its place passed to the top team from that league not already qualified.
Plain background indicates teams that earned a place in the 2016–17 European Rugby Challenge Cup.

Regular season

[edit]
4 September 2015
19:30
Connacht Ireland29–23Wales Newport Gwent Dragons (1 BP)
Try: Fox-Matamua 25' m
Poolman 49' m
Carr 77' c
Con: Carty (1/3)
Pen: Carty (4/4) 7', 8', 21', 68'		ReportTry: Pretorius 41' c
J. Thomas 75' c
Con: Tovey (2/2)
Pen: Tovey (2/2) 28', 56'
Prydie (1/1) 80'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 3,624
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
11 September 2015
19:35
Glasgow Warriors Scotland33–32Ireland Connacht (2 BP)
Try: G. Bryce 30' c
Cummings 35' c
Harley 41' c
Con: Clegg (3/3)
Pen: Clegg (4/4) 10', 22', 27', 68'		ReportTry: Jo. Cooney 46' c
penalty try 56' c
Poolman 59' m
Fox-Matamua 75' c
Con: Carty (3/4)
Pen: Carty (2/2) 7', 39'
Scotstoun Stadium
Attendance: 6,267
Referee: Ian Davies (WRU)
3 October 2015
17:00
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland36–31Wales Cardiff Blues (2 BP)
Try: Marmion 10' c
Fox-Matamua 22' c
Poolman 26' m
O'Halloran 57' c
Muldowney 64' c
Con: Carty (4/5)
Pen: Carty (1/2) 79'		ReportTry: Summerhill 7' c
Turnbull 33' c
Fish 48' c
Hobbs 80' c
Con: Patchell (3/3)
G. Davies (1/1)
Pen: Patchell (1/2) 40'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 3,274
Referee: Neil Hennessy (WRU)
16 October 2015
19:30
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland34–15Italy Zebre
Try: Healy 7' c
Marmion 21' c
E. McKeon 27' m
Ronaldson 39' c
Buckley 48' m
Con: Ronaldson (3/5)
Pen: Ronaldson (1/1) 3'		ReportTry: Berryman 35' c
Meyer 78' m
Con: Padovani (1/1)
Pen: Padovani (1/1) 10'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 3,994
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
24 October 2015
13:30
(1 BP) Ospreys Wales16–21Ireland Connacht
Try: Baker 14' m
Tipuric 68' m
Pen: S. Davies (2/5) 2', 56'		ReportTry: Healy 27' m
Aki 43' c
Con: Ronaldson (1/1)
Pen: Carty (2/4) 10', 19'
Ronaldson (1/1) 77'
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 7,893
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
31 October 2015
18:45
Connacht Ireland14–9Scotland Edinburgh (1 BP)
Try: O'Halloran 9' m
Pen: Carty (3/5) 7', 44', 55'		ReportPen: Hidalgo-Clyne (2/2) 15', 53'
Kinghorn (1/1) 37'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 3,834
Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU)
6 November 2015
19:30
Connacht Ireland33–19Italy Benetton Treviso
Try: Henshaw 42' c
McCartney 52' c
Healy 75' c
Con: Ronaldson (3/3)
Pen: Ronaldson (4/5) 3', 20', 36', 72'		ReportTry: Hayward (2) 26' m, 47' c
Gori 80' c
Con: Hayward (2/3)
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 3,443
Referee: Ian Davies (WRU)
28 November 2015
17:15
(1 BP) Munster Ireland12–18Ireland Connacht
Try: N. Scannell 20' m
penalty try 65' c
Con: Keatley (1/2)		ReportTry: O'Halloran 17' c
Aki 77' m
Con: Ronaldson (1/2)
Pen: Ronaldson (2/3) 11', 58'
Thomond Park
Attendance: 15,143
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
4 December 2015
19:05
Cardiff Blues Wales20–16Ireland Connacht (1 BP)
Try: Vosawai 5' c
James 54' c
Con: Patchell (2/2)
Pen: Patchell (2/3) 25', 63'		ReportTry: Porter 12' m
E. McKeon 21' m
Pen: Porter (1/1) 26'
Carty (1/1) 66'
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 5,824
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
26 December 2015
18:00
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland3–10Ireland Ulster
Pen: MacGinty (1/1) 63'ReportTry: Williams 76' c
Con: Pad. Jackson (1/1)
Pen: Pad. Jackson (1/1) 32'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 5,876
Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (IRFU)
1 January 2016
17:00
Leinster Ireland13–0Ireland Connacht
Try: Van der Flier 60' c
Con: Sexton (1/1)
Pen: Sexton (1/1) 14'
Madigan (1/1) 74'		Report
RDS Arena
Attendance: 14,297
Referee: George Clancy (IRFU)
10 January 2016
14:30
Scarlets Wales21–19Ireland Connacht (1 BP)
Try: S. Evans 45' c
Collins 60' m
Con: Thomas (1/2)
Pen: Thomas (2/2) 36', 43'
S. Shingler (1/1) 78'		ReportTry: Healy 25' c
Con: Ronaldson (1/1)
Pen: Ronaldson (2/2) 23', 48'
Carty (2/2) 67', 77'
Parc y Scarlets
Attendance: 5,888
Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR)
30 January 2016
15:00
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland30–17Wales Scarlets
Try: Heenan (2) 21' m, 36' m
Buckley 51' c
Ah You 63' c
Con: Carty (2/4)
Pen: Carty (2/3) 8', 47'		ReportTry: Van der Merwe 44' c
G. Owen 73' c
Con: Thomas (2/2)
Pen: Thomas (1/1) 43'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 5,292
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
11 February 2016
19:30
(1 BP) Newport Gwent Dragons Wales21–26Ireland Connacht (1 BP)
Try: Hughes 15' m
Hewitt 26' c
Con: O'Brien (1/1)
Pen: Tovey (1/1) 9'
O'Brien (2/2) 44', 56'		ReportTry: Healy 13' c
O'Halloran 21' c
Masterson 65' m
Aki 68' c
Con: Ronaldson (3/4)
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 4,128
Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU)
20 February 2016
17:30
(1 BP) Zebre Italy34–51Ireland Connacht (1 BP)
Try: Meyer 37' c
Haimona 45' c
Van Schalkwyk 53' c
Ruzza 69' c
Con: Haimona (4/4)
Pen: Haimona (2/2) 13', 19'		ReportTry: Healy (3) 16' c, 43' c, 47' c
Marmion 21' c
Adeolokun (2) 57' c, 66' c
Con: Ronaldson (3/3)
MacGinty (3/3)
Pen: Ronaldson (1/2) 4'
MacGinty (2/2) 64', 72'
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
Attendance: 1,850
Referee: Gary Conway (IRFU)
27 February 2016
19:35
Connacht Ireland30–22Wales Ospreys
Try: Aki 1' c
MacGinty 11' c
Healy 51' c
Con: Ronaldson (3/3)
Pen: Ronaldson (3/4) 28', 58', 67'		ReportTry: John 13' m
Baker 25' c
Webb 55' c
Con: S. Davies (2/3)
Pen: S. Davies (1/1) 4'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 5,279
Referee: George Clancy (IRFU)
4 March 2016
19:35
(1 BP) Edinburgh Scotland23–28Ireland Connacht (1 BP)
Try: Dean 43' m
Hoyland 51' c
Du Preez 59' m
Con: Hidalgo-Clyne (1/3)
Pen: Hidalgo-Clyne (2/3) 68', 80'		ReportTry: MacGinty 20' c
Heenan 32' c
Aki 45' c
E. McKeon 72' c
Con: Ronaldson (3/3)
MacGinty (1/1)
Murrayfield Stadium
Attendance: 3,584
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
26 March 2016
17:15
Connacht Ireland7–6Ireland Leinster (1 BP)
Try: Marmion 13' c
Con: MacGinty (1/1)		ReportPen: Madigan (2/2) 41', 62'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 7,300
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)
1 April 2016
19:35
Ulster Ireland18–10Ireland Connacht
Try: R. Best 27' m
Gilroy 43' c
Con: Pad. Jackson (1/2)
Pen: Pad. Jackson (2/2) 5', 12'		ReportTry: Blade 54' c
Con: O'Leary (1/1)
Pen: O'Leary (1/2) 40'
Kingspan Stadium
Attendance: 16,224
Referee: Dudley Phillips (IRFU)
16 April 2016
19:15
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland35–14Ireland Munster
Try: Adeolokun (2) 36' c, 54' m
penalty try 40' c
Bealham 65' c
Con: O'Leary (3/4)
Pen: O'Leary (3/3) 8', 18', 80'		ReportTry: Zebo 10' c
Sherry 23' c
Con: J. Holland (2/2)
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 7,786
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
29 April 2016
19:30
Benetton Treviso Italy22–21Ireland Connacht (1 BP)
Try: Morisi 19' m
Steyn 22' c
penalty try 45' c
Con: Hayward (2/3)
Pen: Hayward (1/1) 80'		ReportTry: Parata 11' c
Carr 14' c
Robb 52' c
Con: Jo. Cooney (3/3)
Stadio Comunale di Monigo
Attendance: 3,700
Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (IRFU)
7 May 2016
15:00
Connacht Ireland14–7Scotland Glasgow Warriors (1 BP)
Try: Aki 18' c
O'Halloran 59' c
Con: MacGinty (1/1)
O'Leary (1/1)		ReportTry: Reid 46' c
Con: Russell (1/1)
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 7,786
Referee: Ian Davies (WRU)

Play-offs

[edit]
21 May 2016
18:30
Connacht Ireland16–11Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Try: Adeolokun 36' c
Con: MacGinty (1/1)
Pen: MacGinty (3/3) 24', 52', 64'		ReportTry: Nakarawa 48' m
Pen: Weir (2/2) 26', 56'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 7,800
Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR)
Main article: 2016 Pro12 Grand Final
28 May 2016
17:30
Connacht Ireland20–10Ireland Leinster
Try: O'Halloran 12' c
Adeolokun 21' m
Healy 56' m
Con: MacGinty (1/3)
Pen: MacGinty (1/2) 27'		ReportTry: Cronin 66' c
Con: Sexton (1/1)
Pen: Sexton (1/1) 43'
Murrayfield Stadium
Attendance: 34,550
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)
Connacht
Leinster
FB 15 Ireland Tiernan O'Halloran downward-facing red arrow 68' upward-facing green arrow 71'
RW 14 Nigeria Niyi Adeolokun
OC 13 Ireland Robbie Henshaw downward-facing red arrow 71'
IC 12 New Zealand Bundee Aki
LW 11 Ireland Matt Healy
FH 10 United States AJ MacGinty
SH 9 Ireland Kieran Marmion downward-facing red arrow 60'
N8 8 Ireland John Muldoon (c)
OF 7 New Zealand Jake Heenan
BF 6 Ireland Eoin McKeon downward-facing red arrow 41'
RL 5 England Aly Muldowney
LL 4 Ireland Ultan Dillane downward-facing red arrow 61'
TP 3 Ireland Finlay Bealham
HK 2 New Zealand Tom McCartney downward-facing red arrow 71'
LP 1 Ireland Ronan Loughney downward-facing red arrow 68'
Substitutions:
HK 16 Ireland Dave Heffernan upward-facing green arrow 71'
PR 17 Ireland JP Cooney
PR 18 Ireland Rodney Ah You upward-facing green arrow 68'
LK 19 Ireland Andrew Browne upward-facing green arrow 61'
FL 20 Ireland Seán O'Brien upward-facing green arrow 41'
SH 21 Ireland John Cooney upward-facing green arrow 60' downward-facing red arrow 65'
CE 22 Canada Shane O'Leary upward-facing green arrow 68'
CE 23 Ireland Peter Robb upward-facing green arrow 65'
Coach:
Samoa Pat Lam
FB 15 Ireland Rob Kearney downward-facing red arrow 60'
RW 14 Ireland Dave Kearney downward-facing red arrow 75'
OC 13 Ireland Garry Ringrose
IC 12 New Zealand Ben Te'o
LW 11 Ireland Luke Fitzgerald
FH 10 Ireland Johnny Sexton
SH 9 Ireland Eoin Reddan downward-facing red arrow 57'
N8 8 Ireland Jamie Heaslip (c)
OF 7 Ireland Jordi Murphy
BF 6 Ireland Rhys Ruddock
RL 5 Ireland Mick Kearney downward-facing red arrow 16'
LL 4 Ireland Ross Molony downward-facing red arrow 62'
TP 3 Ireland Mike Ross downward-facing red arrow 41'
HK 2 Ireland Richardt Strauss downward-facing red arrow 41'
LP 1 Ireland Jack McGrath downward-facing red arrow 71'
Substitutions:
HK 16 Ireland Seán Cronin upward-facing green arrow 41'
PR 17 Ireland Peter Dooley upward-facing green arrow 71'
PR 18 Ireland Tadhg Furlong upward-facing green arrow 41'
LK 19 New Zealand Hayden Triggs upward-facing green arrow 16'
N8 20 Ireland Jack Conan upward-facing green arrow 62'
SH 21 Ireland Luke McGrath upward-facing green arrow 57'
FH 22 Ireland Ian Madigan upward-facing green arrow 75'
FB 23 South Africa Zane Kirchner upward-facing green arrow 60'
Coach:
Ireland Leo Cullen

Man of the Match:
John Muldoon (Connacht)

Touch judges:
Ian Davies (WRU)
Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
Television Match Official:
Jon Mason (WRU)

Rugby Challenge Cup

[edit]
Main article: 2015–16 European Rugby Challenge Cup

Pool 1

[edit]
Pos Team
 Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts
1 Ireland Connacht (5) 6 4 0 2 147 96 +51 20 12 2 1 19
2 England Newcastle Falcons 6 3 0 3 137 97 +40 20 9 3 1 16
3 France Brive 6 3 0 3 114 88 +26 12 11 1 3 16
4 Russia Enisey-STM 6 2 0 4 63 180 −117 8 28 0 0 8
Source: espn.co.uk
14 November 2015
15:00
Enisey-STM Russia14–31Ireland Connacht (1 BP)
Try: Polivalov (2) 72' c, 80' c
Con: Kushnarev (2/2) 73', 80'		ReportTry: Adeolokun 49' m
Muldoon 51' m
Leader 62' m
Parata 76' c
Con: Leader (1/1) 76'
Pen: MacGinty (3/4) 7', 36', 43'
Central Stadium, Krasnoyarsk
Attendance: 2,500
Referee: Thomas Charabas (FFR)
21 November 2015
17:00
Connacht Ireland21–17France Brive (1 BP)
Try: Parata 35' m
Marshall 45' m
Marmion 50' m
Pen: Carty (2/2) 33', 40'		ReportTry: Acquier 28' m
Masilevu 47' m
Galala 73' c
Con: Iribaren (1/1) 74'
Pen: Sola (0/2)
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 4,357
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys (RFU)
11 December 2015
19:45
Connacht Ireland25–10England Newcastle Falcons
Try: Poolman 74' c
Con: Carty (1/1) 76'
Pen: Carty (6/7) 6', 16', 38', 47', 52', 69'		ReportTry: Mayhew 56' c
Con: Willis (1/1) 57'
Pen: Willis (1/2) 33'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 4,346
Referee: Thomas Charabas (FFR)
20 December 2015
15:00
(1 BP) Newcastle Falcons England29–5Ireland Connacht
Try: Watson (2) 24' m, 57' m
Penalty try (2) 41' c, 56' c
Agulla 46' c
Con: Willis (2/5) 42', 56'		ReportTry: Poolman 33' m
Kingston Park
Attendance: 4,067
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
16 January 2016
20:45
Brive France21–18Ireland Connacht (1 BP)
Pen: Laranjeira (7/8) 6', 17', 26', 47', 58', 62', 80'ReportTry: Parata 1' m
Muldoon (2) 53' m, 78' m
Pen: MacGinty (1/2) 42'
Stade Amédée-Domenech
Attendance: 3,000
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys (RFU)
23 January 2016
15:00
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland47–5Russia Enisey-STM
Try: O'Halloran 16' m
Healy (2) 20' c, 60' m
Buckley 27' m
Poolman 38' m
Henshaw 41' m
McCartney 52' m
Blade 79' c
Con: MacGinty (1/5) 21'
Carty (1/3) 79'
Pen: MacGinty (1/1) 11'		ReportTry: Orlov 46' m
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 4,261
Referee: Tom Foley (RFU)

Pool winners and runners-up rankings

Rank Pool Winners Pts TF +/−
1 England Harlequins 25 31 +102
2 England Gloucester 25 16 +65
3 England Sale Sharks 23 20 +76
4 France Grenoble 22 22 +33
5 Ireland Connacht 19 20 +51
Rank Pool Runners–up Pts TF +/−
6 France Montpellier 20 28 +105
7 Wales Newport Gwent Dragons 20 17 +34
8 England London Irish 17 25 +64
9 England Newcastle Falcons 16 20 +40
10 Italy Zebre 13 11 +22

Quarter-finals

[edit]
9 April 2016
21:05
Grenoble France (4)33–32(5) Ireland Connacht
Try: Wiesniewski 32' c
Dupont 61' c
Diaby 69' c
Con: Wiesniewski (3/3) 33', 62', 70'
Pen: Wiesniewski (3/3) 20', 37', 40'
Drop: Wiesniewski (1/1) 75'		ReportTry: Adeolokun (2) 11' c, 28' c
Henshaw 22' m
Healy 42' c
Con: O'Leary (3/4) 12', 29', 43'
Pen: O'Leary (1/1) 53'
Cooney (1/1) 72'
Stade des Alpes
Attendance: 14,077
Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU)

Notes

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

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Champions Cup play-off: Gloucester 40-32 Connacht". BBC Sport. 24 May 2015. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  2. ^ "European heavyweights to clash following 2015/16 Pool Draws". EPCRugby. 17 June 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
  3. ^ "Like Ireland, our squad will be put to the test". Irish Independent. 16 October 2015. Retrieved 16 January 2016. We know that during this 16-week run of games and later in the season, we are going to be hit with injuries.
  4. ^ "Dan McFarland". Glasgow Warriors. Archived from the original on 15 April 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  5. ^ a b "Jimmy Duffy is new Connacht forwards coach". RTÉ Sport. 9 June 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  6. ^ "The Connacht veteran with the Celtic League / Pro12 appearance record is retiring". The42. 19 February 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  7. ^ a b c "Trio of Connacht half-backs sign new deals with the province". Irish Independent. 26 January 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  8. ^ a b c "Connacht have secured the futures of two promising young second rows". The42. 14 January 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  9. ^ a b "Mick Kearney to join Leinster as 31 players put pen to paper". Leinster Rugby. 9 April 2015.
  10. ^ a b "Leinster second/back rower Ben Marshall to join Connacht next season". The42.ie. 27 May 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  11. ^ "PRE SEASON PREP BEGINS FOR 2015/16". Connacht Rugby. 1 July 2015. Archived from the original on 1 November 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  12. ^ "45 Players Named In Ireland Training Squad". Irish Rugby. 24 June 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  13. ^ "Prop Nathan White feared Ireland ship had sailed". Irish Independent. 16 August 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  14. ^ "Ireland Squad Named For Rugby World Cup". Irish Rugby. 1 September 2015. Archived from the original on 1 November 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  15. ^ "Connacht 19 – 52 Grenoble". Connacht Rugby. 7 August 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  16. ^ "Castres 19 – 5 Connacht". Connacht Rugby. 14 August 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  17. ^ "Rugby – Connacht defeat Munster at Thomond Park". Limerick Post. 21 August 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  18. ^ "Connacht open Pro12 account with win over Newport Gwent Dragons". Irish Times. 4 September 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  19. ^ "Pro12: Glasgow 33-32 Connacht". BBC Sport. 11 September 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  20. ^ "Connacht continue impressive start with thrilling victory over Cardiff". The42. 3 October 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  21. ^ "Connacht Make It Back-To-Back Bonus Point Victories". Irish Rugby. 16 October 2015. Archived from the original on 5 November 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  22. ^ "Connacht Go Joint-Top After Rare Swansea Success". Irish Rugby. 24 October 2015. Archived from the original on 4 April 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  23. ^ "O'Halloran edges Connacht past Edinburgh". Pro12. 31 October 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  24. ^ "Henshaw helps Connacht make it five in a row". Pro12. 6 November 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  25. ^ "Connacht Announce 24-Man Squad For Siberian Trip". Irish Rugby. 10 November 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  26. ^ "Connacht brave sub-zero temperatures to secure bonus-point win in Siberia". The42. 14 November 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  27. ^ "Connacht's Siberian exile almost over". RTÉ Sport. 16 November 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  28. ^ "REPORT: Connacht take charge". European Professional Club Rugby. 21 November 2015. Archived from the original on 7 July 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  29. ^ "Aki hands Connacht victory at Munster". Pro12. 28 November 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  30. ^ "James helps Blues spoil Muldoon's day". Pro12. 4 December 2015. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  31. ^ "REPORT: Connacht out muscle Newcastle". European Professional Club Rugby. 11 December 2015. Archived from the original on 7 April 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  32. ^ "REPORT: Falcons close gap on Connacht". European Professional Club Rugby. 20 December 2015. Archived from the original on 14 January 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  33. ^ "Williams' late show ends Connacht's run at home". Pro12. 26 December 2015. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  34. ^ "Leinster leapfrog Connacht thanks to van der Flier". Pro12. 1 January 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  35. ^ "Scarlets go top after edging Connacht at the death". Pro12. 10 January 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  36. ^ "REPORT: Last ditch kick wins it for Brive". European Professional Club Rugby. 16 January 2016. Archived from the original on 7 July 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  37. ^ "REPORT: Connacht through thanks to the Falcons". European Professional Club Rugby. 23 January 2016. Archived from the original on 5 November 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  38. ^ "Connacht Face Grenoble Trip In Quarter-finals". Irish Rugby. 24 January 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  39. ^ "Connacht's forward dominance sees leaders beaten". Pro12. 30 January 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  40. ^ "Four-try Connacht back at the summit". Pro12. 11 February 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  41. ^ "Healy grabs hat-trick as Connacht turn on the style". Pro12. 20 February 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  42. ^ "Five in a row for GUINNESS PRO12 leaders Connacht". Pro12. 27 February 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  43. ^ "Connacht extend their lead at the top of the table against Edinburgh". Pro12. 4 March 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  44. ^ "Connacht's defence earns them victory in top-of-the-table clash". Pro12. 26 March 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  45. ^ "Ulster battle past league leaders Connacht to enter top four". Pro12. 1 April 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  46. ^ "REPORT: Wisniewski kicks Grenoble to slender win". European Professional Club Rugby. 9 April 2016. Archived from the original on 17 June 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  47. ^ "Adeolokun double seals Connacht comeback win against Munster". Pro12. 16 April 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  48. ^ "Hayward penalty sinks Connacht in Treviso". Pro12. 29 April 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  49. ^ "Connacht set up home semi-final against defeated Warriors". Pro12. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  50. ^ "Adeolokun marches Connacht into maiden Guinness PRO12 Final". Pro12. 21 May 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  51. ^ "Glorious Connacht complete dream season in style". Pro12. 28 May 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  52. ^ a b c d e "Management Team". Connacht Rugby. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  53. ^ "Connacht appoint Willie Ruane as new CEO". Irish Independent. 8 May 2014. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  54. ^ "Connacht sign New Zealander Andre Bell as backs and kicking coach". RTÉ Sport. 29 May 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
  55. ^ "New Head Of Fitness And Increased Funding For Connacht". Irish Rugby. 19 May 2014. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  56. ^ "Connacht Rugby Homepage". Connacht Rugby.
  57. ^ "Connacht sign Auckland openside flanker Nepia Fox-Matamua". Irish Times. 25 March 2015.
  58. ^ "Connacht have handed new contracts to three of their best back rows". The42. 26 January 2015. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
  59. ^ "Connacht sign USA fly-half AJ MacGinty for next season". Irish Times. 19 October 2015.
  60. ^ "Connacht have announced the signing of Ireland-qualified Api Pewhairangi from league-code NZ Warriors". Planet Rugby. 19 June 2015. Archived from the original on 19 June 2015.
  61. ^ "'Being part of Connacht is amazing at the moment' – Kerins looking up". The42. 9 March 2016. Retrieved 9 March 2016. local man Sean Henry played for Munster and Connacht before being forced into an early retirement due to injury.
  62. ^ "The Connacht veteran with the Celtic League / Pro12 appearance record Michael Swift is retiring". The42. 19 February 2015.
  63. ^ "Connacht openside flanker Willie Faloon heading back to Ulster". Planet Rugby. 10 February 2015. Archived from the original on 10 February 2015.
  64. ^ "There were emotional scenes as some Connacht legends said goodbye". The42. 16 May 2015.
  65. ^ "The Galway Tribesmen continue their winning streak". Galway Bay FM. 7 July 2015. Archived from the original on 10 April 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  66. ^ "Connacht utility back Miah Nikora joins Italian club Petrarca Rugby next season". Rugby1823.it. 10 June 2015.
  67. ^ "Versatile back Shane Layden takes up offer to join Ireland Sevens squad from Connacht". Irish Independent. 21 May 2015.
  68. ^ "Former All-Black fullback Mils Muliaina leaves Connacht for Zebre". Irish Times. 1 April 2015.
  69. ^ "Connacht strike new deal with Australian kit suppliers". Galway Advertiser. 20 June 2013.
  70. ^ "New title sponsor announced for Connacht Rugby". Galway Advertiser. 26 June 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  71. ^ Competition Rule 3.5 "Summary of Key Rules". Pro12. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2015–16_Connacht_Rugby_season&oldid=1247760274"