Ospreys Storm Back to Beat Connacht 24-21 in European Challenge Cup

Ospreys overturn a 21-0 first-half deficit to beat Connacht 24-21 in a dramatic European Challenge Cup opener at the Brewery Field, Bridgend, as heavy rain fell and Hopkins struck late.

European Challenge Cup

Ospreys 24

Tries: Deaves, Cokanasiga, R Smith, Hopkins Con: Edwards 2

Connacht 21

Tries: Bealham, Jansen, Aungier Con: Naughton 3

Wing Iestyn Hopkins delivered the decisive score in the 75th minute as Ospreys staged a remarkable comeback to beat Connacht 24-21 in the European Challenge Cup.

The Welsh side trailed 21-0 at half-time but rallied to claim a dramatic victory in difficult conditions at the Brewery Field in Bridgend.

Connacht moved 21-0 ahead through close-range finishes from tight-head props Finlay Bealham and Jack Aungier, plus a third try from number eight Sean Jansen.

Ospreys finally registered on the scoreboard when Harri Deaves touched down on the last play of the first half, making it 21-5.

Centre Phil Cokanasiga and lock Ryan Smith crossed as Connacht began to tire after making substitutions and receiving a yellow card that led to uncontested scrums with 13 players on the field.

The home side completed the comeback five minutes from time when Hopkins finished a left-wing move, sparking scenes of celebration at the Brewery Field.

How the match unfolded

Connacht controlled the opening period, forcing scrums and making the most of turnovers to create pressure. Bealham opened the scoring in the 11th minute, followed by Jansen and then Aungier as Connacht stretched ahead.

After a yellow card for Ospreys flanker James Ratti, Connacht extended their lead, but the hosts ended the half with a late score from Deaves to cut the gap to 21-5.

In the second half, Ospreys started finding their rhythm. A quick tap by Cokanasiga led to a try, and with Connacht having to reshuffle their pack, Ospreys seized the initiative and levelled the game with Smith’s score.

With the game tightening and the clock ticking, a penalty for repeated Ospreys infringements saw Connacht lose a player to the sin-bin, leaving space for Hopkins to seal the win with a decisive finish.

What’s next?

Ospreys head to France next weekend to face Montauban in a challenging Top 14 clash, scheduled for Saturday December 13 at 15:15 GMT. Connacht return home to Galway for a 20:00 GMT kickoff against Black Lion, a Georgian side making their European debut after losing 24-13 to Montpellier in round one.

Team lineups

Ospreys: Walsh; Kasende, Cokanasiga, Hopkins, Edwards; Morgan-Williams, Edwards; G Thomas, Parry (capt), Botha, R Davies, R Smith, Ratti, Deaves, Moriarty

Replacements: L Lloyd, G Thomas, Henry, Sutton, G Evans, L Davies, Nagy, Giles

Yellow cards: Ratti, G Phillips.

Connacht: Naughton; Jennings, Gilbert, Aki (capt), Treacy; Carty, Murphy; Buckley, Heffernan, Bealham, Joyce, D O’Connor, J Murphy, S O’Brien, Jansen

Replacements: de Buitlear, Duggan, Aungier, D Murray, Boyle, Reilly, S Walsh, West

Yellow card: Buckley

Referee: Evan Urruzmendi (France)

Assistants: Pierre-Baptiste Nuchy & Cyrille Boulay (France)

TMO: Patrick Dellac (France)

Expert view

Expert comment: A rugby analyst noted that Ospreys showed extraordinary resilience and discipline to finish strongly in tough conditions. The comeback underlined how momentum can swing in rugby when teams stay calm and execute late in the game.

Summary

Ospreys fought back from a 21-0 deficit to win 24-21 in a dramatic European Challenge Cup opener. Connacht controlled much of the first half, but Ospreys found rhythm after the break and clinched the victory with a late score from Hopkins. The result sets up a tense run of fixtures as both teams chase bonus points and momentum.