Connacht beat Saracens 45-36 in 13-try thriller

Connacht 45-36 Saracens, Dexcom Stadium

Connacht opened their Investec Champions Cup campaign with a thrilling 45-36 victory over Saracens at Dexcom Stadium in Galway.

The Irish side scored seven tries, with Cian Prendergast and Ciaran Frawley both crossing twice, while Saracens responded with six tries of their own in a remarkable attacking contest.

Saracens raced into a 12-0 lead before Connacht fought back to level the scores at 19-19 by half-time. The hosts then produced a strong second-half performance to secure victory despite another late response from the visitors.

Despite scoring six tries, Saracens left Galway without a competition point under the revised EPCR bonus-point rules.

Saracens Make Flying Start

Saracens began brightly and opened the scoring in the fifth minute when Sione Va'enuku powered over from close range. Owen Farrell converted to give the visitors a 7-0 lead.

The English side struck again in the 11th minute when Elliot Daly gathered a bouncing ball and released Noah Caluori into space. The winger finished the move, although the conversion was missed, leaving Saracens 12-0 ahead.

Connacht responded in the 17th minute when captain Prendergast forced his way over from close range following an attacking move involving Colm Reilly. The try was confirmed after a TMO review, and Sam Gilbert converted to reduce the deficit to five points.

The hosts continued to attack and drew level through Cathal Forde, who finished in the corner in the 23rd minute following a series of quick offloads.

Connacht Fight Back Before Half-Time

Connacht completed their turnaround in the 29th minute when Shamus Hurley-Langton crossed from a driving maul. Gilbert converted to give the hosts a 19-12 lead.

Saracens responded before the break after Ben Earl broke through the defensive line. Hurley-Langton was shown a yellow card following an infringement, giving the visitors a numerical advantage.

Nick Tompkins made the extra player count, using a clever dummy to break through and score in first-half stoppage time. Farrell converted to level the match at 19-19 at half-time.

Both Sides Trade Second-Half Tries

Connacht made a strong start after the restart, with Prendergast breaking through the Saracens defence for his second try in the 46th minute. Gilbert converted to restore a seven-point lead.

Saracens responded almost immediately. Good interplay down the left created space for Rotimi Segun to race over in the 49th minute. Farrell missed the conversion, leaving Connacht 26-24 ahead.

The hosts struck again just two minutes later through Frawley, who combined with Finn Treacy before breaking through to score. Gilbert converted to extend Connacht's advantage to 33-24.

Saracens refused to fade and reduced the deficit when Va'enuku powered over for his second try in the 57th minute. Farrell added the conversion to make it 33-31.

Frawley And Blade Put Connacht In Control

Connacht regained momentum in the 60th minute when replacement scrum-half Caolin Blade finished an excellent attacking move after quick handling opened up the Saracens defence. The conversion was missed, leaving the hosts 38-31 ahead.

Frawley then produced another decisive moment just three minutes later, cutting through the defensive line to complete his double. Gilbert converted to stretch Connacht's lead to 45-31.

Saracens continued to push forward and were given another opportunity when Prendergast was shown a yellow card in the closing stages.

The visitors took advantage in the 79th minute when Daly broke through to score their sixth try. Farrell missed the conversion, leaving Saracens nine points behind.

Connacht held firm in the closing moments to complete a memorable 45-36 victory and make a winning start to their Champions Cup campaign.