Zebre 10-40 Connacht
Connacht have moved into sixth place in the Pro 12 table and into a qualification spot for the Champions Cup with a convincing bonus-point away win over Zebre.
Pat Lam’s side went in 21-10 ahead at half-time after a brace of tries from John Cooney and a five-pointer from Matt Healy, all converted by Jack Carty.
Eoghan Masterson barged over to secure the bonus point in the 54th minute, by which stage the result was no longer in doubt.
Brendon Leonard scored Zebre’s only try, converted by Luciano Orquera, who also scored a 34th-minute penalty.
Things went from bad to worse for the Italians in the second half when Luca Redolfini was shown a yellow card after throwing a series of punches.
Connacht took advantage of his time in the bin, firstly with a try, run in by full-back Tiernan O’Halloran after a great initial break by Kieran Marmion.
Conor McKeon added the extras to that five-pointer, as he did a few minutes later after another substitute, Shane O'Leary, crossed the whitewash within two minutes of coming on, as Connacht pressed home their dominance over the hosts, who were led by veteran flanker Mauro Bergamasco in his final home game.
Bergamasco, who recently turned 36, is bowing out after 18 years of club rugby at Petrarca Padova, Benetton Treviso, Stade Francais, Aironi and Zebre and will finally hang up his boots after this autumn's World Cup.
The result means that Connacht move into sixth place in the table, ahead of the Scarlets, who play tomorrow, on the number of games won.
If the Scarlets should fail to get a point when they play the Cardiff Blues, Connacht will go into the final round of matches knowing a bonus-point win over Ospreys - a tough task, admittedly, against a side currently topping the table - would guarantee them Champions Cup rugby next season.
