Six-try Lions maul Connacht in Galway

23/03/2024 21:12

Francke Horn scored a brace of tries as a 14-man Lions outfit thrashed Connacht to clinch a bonus-point win in Galway on Saturday.

Leading 12-7 at half time, the Lions scored four tries in the second 40 minutes while flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse kicked eight points to claim a 38-14 result in the Vodacom URC and a first victory on Irish soil.

Prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye received a straight red card for a high tackle on openside flanker Conor Oliver inside the first quarter, after loose forwards Horn and Cian Prendergast exchanged converted tries.

The speed, the dive, the celebration

Edwill van der Merwe is here to entertain @Vodacom#URC | #CONvLIOpic.twitter.com/Kts95ExJU1

— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) March 23, 2024

The visitors powered into a five-point lead before the break with a well-executed maul try from No 6 JC Pretorius, and winger Edwill van der Merwe crossed the whitewash after the restart to extend their advantage. Hendrikse added the extras.

A converted score from opposite number JJ Hanrahan narrowed the gap before the match entered the final 20 minutes, but the Lions completed an emphatic win at The Sportsground and the perfect start to a three-match tour with touchdowns from Horn, outside centre Erich Cronje and replacement Morne van den Berg.

The Lions will regroup to tackle Ospreys in Wales next Saturday, before bringing the curtain down with a Challenge Cup round of 16 clash at Benetton.

Photo: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile via Getty Images

The post Six-try Lions maul Connacht in Galway appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.