By Rory Houston
FULL-TIME CONNACHT 12-19 TOULON
21.47 We had a surge of e-mails from Connacht fans in the final minutes, they will be very proud of their team tonight .
Andrew Flynn sent his thought on the game: 'Disappointing end. Cronin had been great.
Fair play to Bradley and his staff. Need to get into Heineken Cup and need more experience for the big occasions. IRFU wake up.'
21.45 The referee blows for full time after another error, sensational effort from Connacht. They gave it their all but just lacked a bit of quality to pull off the upset.
80 min Final play of the game. Connacht have the ball in their own half. They need something special.
79 min More errors from both sides, the ball is inside the Connacht half with Toulon holding possession in the scrum. I think the game is lost, but what an effort from Michael Bradley's men.
77 min The Sportsground still believes.....Connacht have a lineout about 30 metres from the Toulon line. The home side need a converted try to force added time. Toulon win a penalty, that should be that with 150 seconds to go...
75 min O'Connor receives the ball after Connacht win a lineout on their own 22, his surging run is stopped by Toulon and the ball is lost. Toulon clear it but there is pressure on the French side going into the final four minutes.
72 min Magnificent break from Ta'auso and a sensational offload to boost, but he comes up short.
Connacht play it back onto the Toulon 22, however they concede another foul and Toulon are relieved to say the least.
70 min Lineout for Connacht on their own 22, Upton wins the ball but they need to be inside their own half.
69 min Not many Connacht fans contacting us but they certainly have backing from their neighbours.
'C'mon Connacht for the Munster supporters listening in Perth' is the message from Tim O'Keeffe.
67 min Penalty for Connacht just inside the Toulon half. Miah Nikora replaces Keatley for kicking duties but his effort goes wide of the post. Frustrating.
65 min Gavin Duffy really has been brilliant tonight, as darkness falls on Galway there is still a feeling that Connacht can cause an upset there. The half-time sentiment of the next score is vital returns, when there is only seven points difference Connacht have a chance.
64 min I know they is 16 minutes left, but they will rue these missed chances. Another brilliant piece of running from Murphy with Upton in support but they cannot find room to cross the line. Toulon steal the ball back and are awarded a penalty with Connacht not letting them free the ball.
62 min Connacht awarded a free five metres from the line, the home side opt for the scrum....
60 min What a chance that was for Connacht. Great pressure of the Toulon backline, they were literally inches from the line but Murphy's darting run was as close as they got and eventually it was knocked forward.
58 min Connacht finally find some sustained pressure, attacking the blindside with Naoupu and Frank Murphy exchanging passes. They go for the line but the French force Connacht out of play, clocking a cameraman in the process.
Williams replaces the injured Wilkinson, while Swift is also forced off because of a knock. Williams comes on in this brusing and now thrilling encounter.
56 min Toulon really do get bodies behind the ball when need and that is making it very difficult for Connacht in attack. They've been forced back to inside their own half, never mind getting towards the Toulon by some stern defending.
55 min Missoup and Bruno enter proceedings for Toulon.
54 min You couldn't help but feel that perhaps tiredness was affecting Connacht there but their 134th tackle of the game does the trick! Connacht win the ball back as Toulon foul for holding on and the danger is gone for now.
52 min That is better from Connacht. Toulon breach their first line of defence but they stay cool and the ball is turned over. There could be a score coming soon though.
50 min The gap in quality becomes really evident at times. Connacht seem to kick to opposition hands every time, while the French side's swift passing is beginning to open them up, especially with the power of Kefu.
48 min Loughney is brought into the match in place of Brett Wilkinson.
47 min Brett Wilkinson puts paid to that attack with a foul in the scrum, Jonny Wilkinson kicks to touch and Toulon will have the line-out.
45 min The crowd are getting behind the home side now. Connacht are reacting to it, playing with all the passion they are associated with. Toulon will need to stay composed, scrum to Connacht just off the Toulon 10 metre line.
43 min Connacht are awarded a penalty are more French naivety, Keatley doesn't look like missing today and the men from the west are back to within seven points. Connacht 12-19 Toulon.
41 min Toulon start on the offensive but once again Gavin Duffy's catching ability rescues Connacht.
Fionn Carr's long kick means Toulon have a line-out 30 metres from their own line, good defensive work by Bradley's charges.
20.54 Connacht fans get the players a great reception as they make thier way back onto the pitch. First score will be crucial here.
20.52 James Campbell isn't too happy with referee over that late try.
'Wayne Barnes is a disaster. 11 Minutes of extra-time, and more importantly, penalsied scrum after scrum.
All against the West...bias at its very, very best!'
20.49 We've had a few message from Connacht supporters throughout the world, they may need all the help they can get now!
'Well done on match coverage. Keeping us in touch in Haiti as we build houses for the Haven chariity. The lads from Creggs RFC.'
'Munster Fan in Tulsa, Oklahoma listening to game online....whilst trying to do some work as well!'
Ken Richardson - Originally from Limerick.
Half-time: After 10 minutes of added time for those scrums, the referee blows the half-time whistle.
TRY It was too much. Eventually the ball is released with Henjak playing in Kefu for the try that Toulon deserve. It is an easy conversion for Wilkinson. Huge blow to Connacht, it will be difficult for them to come back from this. Connacht 9-19 Toulon
40 + 9 min Toulon look like finally crossing the line but again Connacht commit a foul. Amazingly the referee refuses to award a penalty try. Back we go to the scrum.
40 + 8 min Morris comes on for Hagan with a worry over the referee handing out a yellow card.
40 + 6 min Brett Wilkinson is the latest to foul in the scrum. We're at scrum number seven now as the referee asks for another reset.
40 + 5 min Two more penalties conceded for infringements in the scrum 'for going in from an angle and going in on the floor' according the referee. We're in penalty try territory.
40 + 3 min Wave after wave of Toulon attack but Connacht hold firm. Eventually they give away a penalty and Toulon are awarded a scrum only a few metres from the line.
40 min Connacht in danger of conceding a penalty, particular when Muldoon comes in from the side. They are hanging on in the final seconds as Toulon search for a gap in the Connacht defence....
39 min The ball is turned over but Connacht can be more than happy with their first half effort. Three points in it now.
38 min Keatley's consistent kicking is being rivalled by a superb display by Gavin Duffy at 15. Connacht's tails are up now and Toulon are under pressure for the first time in the half.
36 min For all the ability they possess, Toulon have made some amateur mistakes this half. Another offside infringment and Keatley is presented with another penalty. Connacht 9-12 Toulon.
34 min While Toulon will be frustrated about not crossing the line, Wilkinson kicking is ticking the scoreboard over. Yet another cheap penalty from the scrum. Wilkinson's kick is just inside the post. Connacht 6-12 Toulon
33 min Connacht are almost away when Ta'auso intercepts a Wilkinson pass. But he just can't get control of the ball and the chance is gone.
30 min Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe accelerates from the scrum and Connacht cannot get near the Argentine.
Eventually he releases with what could almost be described as an overhead pass but the receiving player knock it forward. That was a close escape.
29 min Connacht are coming into it more but they can't find any momentum. A knock-forward on half-way gives Toulon a scrum.
25 min Connacht cannot cope with Wilkinson lurking behind the French attack, they play it back to the England international in the pocket and he slots it over for an easy three points. Connacht 6-9 Toulon
23 min Disappointment for Connacht as Keatley kicks forward but it is swallowed up by Toulon and Rooney's excellent punt forward means Connacht are back on their own 22.
22 min Finally Connacht have some of the ball and they make their way into the Toulon half.
19 min That was a very cheap penalty as Toulon stray offside from the restart. Troy Nathan will not be able to continue after picking up a head injury, but firstly Keatley will try to draw the teams level. He has to match Wilkinson if Connacht are to have any hope.
Keatley kicks it over from the 22, Connacht are fortunate to be back on level terms but they will not be complaining. Connacht 6-6 Toulon.
18 min From the restart the French side win a penalty 10 yards inside the Connacht half. Wilkinson strikes it beautifully and Toulon deservedly lead. Connacht 3-6 Toulon.
17 min Another drop-goal attempt, this time from Wilkinson. It is interesting in the sense that perhaps Toulon are finding it too difficult to break down the Westerners. Wilkinson's drop goal goes inches wide on the post, it stays level.
14 min There is only one team in this match in an attacking sense. Connacht's aggressive defence will not be able to hang on much longer I feel. Toulon attempts to break through the Connacht guard have so far been rebuffed.
13 min The stoppage has not disrupted the French side's momentum. Gavin Duffy is coping well with their kicking. Wilkinson has return to the action. 72% of the match has been played in the Connacht so far. Sourice attempts a drop goal but it does not have the power or accuracy.
11 min Jonny Wilkinson is struggling with a head injury and he may not be able to continue.
9 min Referee Wayne Barnes awards Toulon a penalty for holding on, it is a difficult kick but Wilkinson composes himself and slots it between the posts. Connacht 3-3 Toulon.
8 min That is two line-outs for Toulon and twice Connacht captain John Muldoon wins the ball, which lifts the home crowd. They've been silenced because it seems like only a matter of time until Toulon score.
6 min More impressive play by Toulon and Connacht are struggling to deal with their swift passing. They survive but the French side have a line-out just outside the Connacht 22.
4 min More encouraging signs for Connacht and then they nearly shoot themselves in the foot. Wilkinson's kick to the corner confuses the Connacht defence but bounce of the ball goes the way of the home side and they survive.
2 min Keatley converts the penalty, just the start Bradley's side wanted. Connacht 3-0 Toulon.
1 min Connacht win a penalty right from the start, Gavin Duffy wins the ball and Toulon come over the top. Ian Keatley steps up to give Connacht the perfect start.
19.45 The teams are observing a minute's silence, we'll get underway shortly.
19.39 Connacht will look to Frank Murphy and Ian Keatley for inspiration tonight, while Toulon have a number of big-names on show.
Jonny Wilkinson and Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe are capable of causing some serious damage.
19.37 The teams are making their way onto the pitch, with 8000 spectators in the Sportsground expecting a thrilling tie.
19.30 Michael Bradley believes the atmosphere at the Sportsground could help Connacht reach the Amlin Challenge Cup final.
I think it goes without saying really, but against the stars of Toulon, Connacht need a huge performance if they are to stand any chance.
19.00 Good evening everybody as we embark on a busy weekend of sport, with three Irish sides bidding to reach European finals in Rugby. First up is Connacht as they Jonny Wilkinson and co in what is now - a sunny Galway.
Connacht XV: G Duffy, T Nathan, N Ta'auso, A Wynne, F Carr, I Keatley, F Murphy, B Wilkinson, S Cronin, J Hagan, M Swift, M McCarthy, J Muldoon [capt], J O'Connor, G Naoupu
Replacements: A Flavin, R Loughney, B Upton, M McComish, C O'Loughlin, M Nikora, B Tuohy, R Morris
Toulon XV: Rooney, Lovobalavu, Kefu, May, Marienval, Wilkinson,
Henjak, Taumoepeau, Fitzgerald, Lea'aetoa, Suta, Lozada,
van Niekerk, Sourice, Fernandez Lobbe.
Replacements: Bruno, Basteres, Ryan, Chesney, Auelua, Missoup,
Mignoni, Williams.
Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU)
