Wikipedia

2016–17 Connacht Rugby season

The 2016–17 season was Irish provincial rugby union side Connacht Rugby's sixteenth season competing in the Pro12, and the team's twenty-first season as a professional side. It was Pat Lam's fourth and final season in charge of the side.

Connacht
2016–17 season
Head coachPat Lam
Chief executiveWillie Ruane
CaptainJohn Muldoon
Pro128th
Champions CupPool stage (3rd)
Top try scorerAll: Niyi Adeolokun (8)
Top points scorerAll: Craig Ronaldson (100)
Highest home attendance8,091 v Toulouse
15 October 2016
Lowest home attendance4,091 v Zebre
3 March 2017
Average home attendance6,386
Home colours
Away colours
← 2015–16 2017–18 →

Connacht finished the season in eight place in the league. As well as playing in the Pro12, Connacht competed in the Champions Cup in Europe, finishing third in their pool, level on points with Toulouse, who advanced to the knockout stage as one of the best runners-up. The second-tier side the Connacht Eagles competed in the 2016–17 British and Irish Cup, finishing bottom of their pool.

Background edit

Connacht started the season with a new coaching team. Backs and kicking coach Andre Bell left his role to return to his family in New Zealand.[1] Head performance analyst and assistant attack coach Conor McPhillips took over coaching of the backs, while the team's former head coach Eric Elwood took over coaching kicking.[2] The close season also saw the departure of the side's all-time record try-scorer Fionn Carr who scored 42 tries over two spells with the province.[3] During the off-season, the team's homeground, the Galway Sportsground underwent renovations with the addition of a seated stand increasing its capacity to 8,100.[4]

Coaching and management team edit

Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Individuals may hold more than one non-WR nationality.

Role Name Union
Chief executive Willie Ruane[5]   Ireland
Head coach Pat Lam[6]   Samoa[a]
Team manager Tim Allnut[7]   New Zealand
Forwards Coach Jimmy Duffy[8]   Ireland
Backs Coach Conor McPhillips[9]   Ireland
Skills Coach Dave Ellis
Mossy Lawler[10] 		  Ireland
Kicking Coach Eric Elwood[9]   Ireland
Head Performance Analyst Simon Kavanagh[9]   Ireland
Head of Fitness Paul Bunce[11]   New Zealand
Academy manager Nigel Carolan[12]   Ireland
Connacht Eagles Coach Mossy Lawler[10]   Ireland
Consultant Coach Nathan White[10]   Ireland

Players edit

Senior playing squad edit

Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.

Player Position Union
Shane Delahunt Hooker   Ireland
Dave Heffernan Hooker   Ireland
Tom McCartney Hooker   New Zealand
John Andress Prop   Ireland
Finlay Bealham Prop   Ireland
Denis Buckley Prop   Ireland
Conor Carey Prop   Ireland
JP Cooney Prop   Ireland
Ronan Loughney Prop   Ireland
Peter McCabe Prop   Ireland
Dominic Robertson-McCoy* Prop   New Zealand
Ivan Soroka Prop   Ireland
Andrew Browne Lock   Ireland
James Cannon* Lock   England
Ultan Dillane Lock   Ireland
Ben Marshall Lock   Ireland
Danny Qualter Lock   Ireland
Quinn Roux Lock   Ireland
Lewis Stevenson Lock   Ireland
James Connolly Flanker   Ireland
Naulia Dawai Flanker   Fiji
Nepia Fox-Matamua Flanker   New Zealand
Jake Heenan* Flanker   New Zealand
Rory Moloney Flanker   Ireland
Seán O'Brien Flanker   Ireland
Eoghan Masterson Number 8   Ireland
Eoin McKeon Number 8   Ireland
John Muldoon (c) Number 8   Ireland
Player Position Union
Caolin Blade Scrum-half   Ireland
John Cooney Scrum-half   Ireland
Kieran Marmion Scrum-half   Ireland
Marnitz Boshoff Fly-half   South Africa
Jack Carty Fly-half   Ireland
Steve Crosbie Fly-half   Ireland
Shane O'Leary* Fly-half   Canada
Bundee Aki Centre   New Zealand
Tom Farrell Centre   Ireland
Eoin Griffin Centre   Ireland
Rory Parata Centre   Ireland
Peter Robb Centre   Ireland
Craig Ronaldson Centre   Ireland
Niyi Adeolokun Wing   Ireland
Matt Healy Wing   Ireland
Stacey Ili Wing   New Zealand
Cian Kelleher Wing   Ireland
Danie Poolman* Wing   South Africa
Darragh Leader Fullback   Ireland
Tiernan O'Halloran Fullback   Ireland
Josh Rowland Fullback   Ireland
  • Players qualified to play for Ireland on dual nationality or residency grounds*
  • Senior 15's internationally capped players in bold
  • Irish Provinces were limited to four non-Irish eligible (NIE) players and one non-Irish qualified player (NIQ or "Project Player"). Connacht Rugby is exempted from this under a separate development arrangement

Academy squad edit

Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.

Player Position Union
Jack Dineen Hooker   Ireland year 3
Pat O'Toole Hooker   Ireland year 2
Jamie Dever Prop   Ireland year 3
Conor Kenny Prop   Ireland year 1
Conor Kyne Prop   Ireland year 2
Saba Meunargia Prop   Ireland year 3
Conán O'Donnell Prop   Ireland year 2
Peter Claffey Lock   Ireland year 1
Cillian Gallagher Lock   Ireland year 1
Cian Romaine Lock   Ireland year 2
Marc Kelly Flanker   Ireland year 3
Stephen McVeigh Flanker   Ireland year 3
Player Position Union
Stephen Kerins Scrum-half   Ireland year 1
Conor Lowndes Scrum-half   Ireland year 2
Conor McKeon Scrum-half   Ireland year 3
Matthew Byrne Wing   Ireland year 1
Ciaran Gaffney Wing   Ireland year 3
Adam Leavy Wing   Ireland year 1
Ed O'Keefe Wing   Ireland year 2
Cormac Brennan Fullback   Ireland year 2

Senior Team Transfers edit

For player movement in the Pro12 leading up to the 2016–17 season, see List of 2016–17 Pro12 transfers.

Results edit

Pro12 edit

Main article: 2016–17 Pro12
2016–17 Pro12 watch · edit · discuss
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA Try bonus Losing bonus Pts
1   Munster (RU) 22 19 0 3 602 316 +286 77 34 9 1 86
2   Leinster (SF) 22 18 0 4 674 390 +284 91 47 12 1 85
3   Scarlets (CH) 22 17 0 5 537 359 +178 66 40 9 0 77
4   Ospreys (SF) 22 14 0 8 556 360 +196 74 42 10 3 69
5   Ulster 22 14 1 7 521 371 +150 68 47 6 4 68
6   Glasgow Warriors 22 11 0 11 540 464 +76 72 53 9 5 58
7   Cardiff Blues 22 11 1 10 508 498 +10 59 60 3 4 53
8   Connacht 22 9 0 13 413 498 −85 47 61 5 3 44
9   Edinburgh 22 6 0 16 400 491 −91 46 59 1 6 31
10   Benetton Treviso 22 5 0 17 316 664 −348 35 92 1 2 23
11   Newport Gwent Dragons 22 4 0 18 368 569 −201 38 71 1 6 23
12   Zebre 22 3 0 19 318 773 −455 38 105 1 6 19
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:[39]
  1. number of matches won;
  2. the difference between points for and points against;
  3. the number of tries scored;
  4. the most points scored;
  5. the difference between tries for and tries against;
  6. the fewest red cards received;
  7. the fewest yellow cards received.
Green background (rows 1 to 4) are play-off places and earn a place in the 2017–18 European Rugby Champions Cup.
Blue background indicates teams outside the play-off places that earn a place in the European Rugby Champions Cup.
Yellow background advances to a play-off for a chance to compete in the Champions Cup.[40]
(Q) indicates team has qualified for the play-offs and has qualified for the 2017–18 European Rugby Champions Cup.
3 September 2016
17:15
Connacht  5–41  Glasgow Warriors (1 BP)
Try: Adeolokun 32' mReportTry: Seymour (2) 10' m, 36' m
Hogg 45' c
Swinson 52' c
Puafisi 58' c
Lamont 70' c
Con: Pyrgos (3/5)
Clegg (1/1)
Pen: Pyrgos (1/1) 24'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 6,063
Referee: Ian Davies (WRU)
10 September 2016
19:35
Connacht  11–32  Ospreys (1 BP)
Try: McKeon 57' m
Pen: Carty (2/2) 20', 46'		ReportTry: Webb (2) 29' c, 74' c
Ardron 71' m
Hassler 77' c
Con: S. Davies (3/4) 29', 74', 77'
Pen: S. Davies (2/2) 5', 63'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 5,749
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
17 September 2016
18:05
Zebre  Postponed  Connacht
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
Referee: Ian Davies (WRU)

After 40 minutes of play, the match was "abandoned due to adverse weather conditions causing considerable risk to both the players and spectators". Zebre were leading 22–10 (3 tries to 1) when the match was abandoned. A rescheduled fixture was played on 1 April 2017.[41][42]

24 September 2016
19:35
Scarlets  17–8  Connacht
Try: Li. Williams (2) 36' c, 66' c
Con: Patchell (2/2) 36', 66'
Pen: Patchell (1/1) 71'		ReportTry: Adeolokun 22' m
Pen: Carty (1/1) 40'
Parc y Scarlets
Attendance: 5,630
Referee: George Clancy (IRFU)
30 September 2016
19:35
(1 BP) Connacht  28–15  Edinburgh
Try: Adeolokun 9' c
Roux 36' m
Kelleher 45' m
Robb 73' m
Con: Carty (1/4)
Pen: Carty (2/2) 17', 23'		ReportTry: Gilchrist 19' c
Allen 70' m
Con: Tovey (1/2)
Pen: Tovey (1/1) 5'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 5,771
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)
7 October 2016
19:35
(1 BP) Connacht  30–25  Ulster (1 BP)
Try: Carty 2' c
Kelleher (2) 23' m, 52' m
Connolly 25' c
Con: Carty (2/4)
Pen: Carty (2/2) 37', 59'		ReportTry: Gilroy 33' m
Best 41' c
Payne 44' c
Con: Jackson (2/3)
Pen: Jackson (2/2) 5', 65'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 6,194
Referee: Gary Conway (IRFU)
29 October 2016
17:15
Leinster  24–13  Connacht
Try: Byrne 49'
Daly 75' c
Con: Nacewa (1/2) 76'
Pen: Nacewa (4/4) 23', 32', 38', 58'		ReportTry: Delahunt 80' c
Con: Carty (1/1) 80'
Pen: Ronaldson (2/2) 4', 13'
RDS Arena
Attendance: 18,200
Referee: John Lacey (IRFU)
4 November 2016
19:15
Newport Gwent Dragons  21–16  Connacht (1 BP)
Try: Hewitt (2) 14' c, 46' c
Con: O'Brien (2/2) 14', 46'
Pen: O'Brien (1/1) 21'
Drop: O'Brien (2/2) 36', 52'		ReportTry: Adeolokun 69' c
Con: Carty (1/1) 69'
Pen: Carty (3/3) 25', 39', 59'
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 4,522
Referee: George Clancy (IRFU)
25 November 2016
19:35
Connacht  18–7  Cardiff Blues
Try: Cooney 15' c
Aki 56' m
Con: Cooney (1/2) 16'
Pen: Cooney (2/2) 40', 49'		ReportTry: James 17' c
Con: Shingler (1/1) 18'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 6,190
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)
3 December 2016
15:00
(1 BP) Connacht  47–8  Benetton Treviso
Try: McCartney (2) 14' c, 32' c
Poolman 26' c
Buckley 38' c
Cooney 50' c
Heffernan 55' m
Carty 74' c
Con: Cooney (4/4) 14', 26', 32', 38'
Boshoff (1/1) 50'
Carty (1/2) 74'		ReportTry: Flammini 67' c
Con: McKinley (1/1) 5'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 5,903
Referee: Ian Davies (WRU)
23 December 2016
19:35
Ulster  23–7  Connacht
Try: McCloskey 26' c
Ross 52' c
Con: Jackson (2/2) 28', 53'
Pen: Jackson (3/3) 20', 36', 67'		ReportTry: Carty 55'
Con: Carty (1/1) 56'
Kingspan Stadium
Attendance: 17,613
Referee: George Clancy (IRFU)
31 December 2016
17:30
(1 BP) Connacht  9–16  Munster
Pen: Carty (3/4) 30', 50', 76'ReportTry: Marshall 56' c
Con: Keatley (1/1) 57'
Pen: Keatley (2/3) 2', 39'
Drop: Keatley (1/2) 68'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 8,090
Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU)
7 January 2017
13:30
(1 BP) Ospreys  29–7  Connacht
Try: Baker 11' c
Cracknell 13' c
Smith 56' c
Beck 79' m
Con: S. Davies (3/3) 12', 14', 57'
Pen: S. Davies (1/1) 44'		ReportTry: O'Brien 75' c
Con: Cooney (1/1) 77'
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 6,669
Referee: John Lacey (IRFU)
12 February 2017
17:05
(1 BP) Cardiff Blues  13–19  Connacht
Try: N. Williams 28' c
Con: Anscombe (1/1) 28'
Pen: Anscombe (2/2) 12', 20'		ReportTry: Healy 39' c
Con: Cooney (1/1) 39'
Pen: Cooney (2/2) 44', 64'
Ronaldson (1/1) 80'
Drop: O'Halloran (1/1) 78'
BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 4,300
Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR)
18 February 2017
19:35
(1 BP) Connacht  14–9  Newport Gwent Dragons (1 BP)
Try: O'Halloran 5' c
Blade 13' c
Con: Ronaldson (2/2) 5', 13'		ReportPen: O'Brien (3/3) 18', 42', 53'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 6,190
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)
26 February 2017
13:30
Benetton Treviso  19–34  Connacht (1 BP)
Try: Buondonno 37' m
Sperandio 70' c
Odiete 75' c
Con: Tebaldi (1/1) 37'
Buondonno (1/1) 75' c		ReportTry: Blade 27' c
Bealham 31' c
Ronaldson 47' c
O'Halloran 60' c
Con: Ronaldson (3/3) 27', 31', 47'
Carty (1/1) 60'
Pen: Ronaldson (2/2) 15', 21'
Stadio Comunale di Monigo
Attendance: 1,500
Referee: Ian Davies (WRU)
3 March 2017
19:35
(1 BP) Connacht  33–3  Zebre
Try: Adeolokun 8' c
Dawai 26' m
Muldoon 61' c
Penalty try 66' c
Stevenson 75' c
Con: Cooney (1/2) 8'
O'Halloran (1/1) 61'
Ronaldson (1/1) 75'		ReportPen: Palazzani (1/1) 45'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 4,091
Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR)
25 March 2017
17:15
(1 BP) Glasgow Warriors  35–24  Connacht
Try: Flynn 11' c
Russell 49' c
Price 54' c
Lamont 77' m
Con: Russell (3/3) 12', 50', 54'
Pen: Russell (2/2) 7', 36'
P. Horne (1/1) 74'		ReportTry: Adeolokun 4' m
Muldoon 29' c
Con: Ronaldson (1/2) 30'
Pen: Ronaldson (3/4) 19', 48', 66'
J. Cooney (1/1) 76'
Scotstoun Stadium
Attendance: 7,351
Referee: Ian Davies (WRU)
1 April 2017
15:30
Zebre  25–22  Connacht (1 BP)
Try: Minnie 24' c
Boni 41' m
Padovani 66' c
Con: Canna (2/3) 26', 67'
Pen: Canna (2/3) 7', 31'		ReportTry: Ili 1' m
Ronaldson 13' c
Rowland 78' c
Con: J. Cooney (1/2) 14'
Ronaldson (1/1) 79'
Pen: J. Cooney (1/2) 47'
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)
  • Game rescheduled from 17 September 2016.
7 April 2017
19:35
(1 BP) Edinburgh  19–22  Connacht
Try: Penalty try 63' c
Watson 66' c
G. Bryce 73' m
Con: Weir (2/3) 63', 67'		ReportTry: E. McKeon 29' c
Con: Crosbie (1/1) 30'
Pen: Crosbie (5/5) 8', 26', 36', 49', 60'
New Myreside
Attendance: 3,189
Referee: Dan Jones (WRU)
15 April 2017
19:35
Connacht  24–37  Leinster (1 BP)
Try: Poolman 18' c
Heffernan 49' m
Con: Ronaldson (1/2) 18'
Pen: Ronaldson (4/4) 1', 12', 28', 40'		ReportTry: Kirchner 6' m
A. Byrne 10' c
O'Loughlin 34' m
Ruddock 52' c
B. Daly 68'c
Con: R. Byrne (3/5) 10', 53', 68'
Pen: R. Byrne (2/2) 20', 76'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 8,090
Referee: Ian Davies (WRU)
29 April 2017
20:00
Connacht  8–30  Scarlets (1 BP)
Try: Ronaldson 58' m
Pen: Boshoff (1/1) 11'		Try: McNicholl 4' c
S. Evans (2) 14' m, 26' m
L. Williams 31' m
van der Merwe 78' m
Con: Patchell (1/5) 5'
Pen: Patchell (1/1) 66'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 5,290
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)
6 May 2017
17:15
(1 BP) Munster  50–14  Connacht
Try: Earls 8' c
O'Donoghue 27' c
Conway (2) 33' c, 54' c
Cronin 43' c
Saili 70' c
Oliver 80' m
Con: Keatley (6/7) 8', 28', 34', 44', 54', 70'
Pen: Keatley (1/1) 25'		Try: Kelleher 51' c
Dawai 64' c
Con: Ronaldson (2/2) 52', 65'
Thomond Park
Attendance: 18,567
Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU)

Champions Cup edit

Main article: 2016–17 European Rugby Champions Cup

Pool 1 edit

Team
 P W D L PF PA Diff TF TA TB LB Pts
  Wasps (5) 6 4 1 1 210 112 +98 28 13 3 1 22
  Toulouse (7) 6 3 1 2 164 91 +73 22 10 2 2 18
  Connacht 6 4 0 2 188 118 +70 26 15 2 0 18
  Zebre 6 0 0 6 90 331 −241 11 49 0 0 0
15 October 2016
17:30
Connacht  23–21  Toulouse (1 BP)
Try: Adeolokun 20' m
O'Halloran 58' m
Aki 66' c
Con: Ronaldson (1/1) 66'
Pen: Carty (2/3) 25', 29'		ReportTry: David 34' m
Doussain 37' c
Con: Bézy (1/2) 37'
Pen: Bézy (2/4) 7', 11'
Fritz (1/1) 13'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 8,091
Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)
23 October 2016
16:15
Zebre  7–52  Connacht (1 BP)
Try: D'Apice 61' c
Con: Padovani (1/1) 61'		ReportTry: Ili (3) 10' c, 41' c, 79' c
Carty 13' c
Penalty try 52' c
Kelleher (2) 53' c, 74' m
Carey 55' m
Con: Ronaldson (6/8) 10', 13', 41', 52', 53', 79'
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
Attendance: 3,000
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (FFR)
11 December 2016
13:00
(1 BP) Wasps  32–17  Connacht
Try: Beale 6' c
Hughes 43' c
Launchbury 62' c
Bassett 72' m
Con: Gopperth (3/4) 7', 44', 63'
Pen: Gopperth (2/2) 22', 35'		ReportTry: Marmion 24' c
Parata 45' c
Con: Carty (2/2) 25', 46'
Pen: Carty (1/3) 18'
Ricoh Arena
Attendance: 13,364
Referee: Alexandre Ruiz (FFR)
17 December 2016
17:30
Connacht  20–18  Wasps
Try: Poolman 39' c
Dawai 80' c
Con: Carty (2/2) 40', 80'
Pen: Carty (2/3) 8', 31'		ReportTry: Simpson 13' c
Bassett 72' m
Con: Gopperth (1/2) 13'
Pen: Gopperth (2/3) 53', 67'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 8,090
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (FFR)
(for Jérôme Garcès (FFR))

Assistant referee Mathieu Raynal replaced the original referee Jérôme Garcès on the 73rd minute of the game after pulling a hamstring.

14 January 2017
13:00
(1 BP) Connacht  66–21  Zebre
Try: Healy (2) 1' c, 41' c
Cooney 18' c
O'Halloran (2) 23' c, 43' c
Bealham 27' c
Marmion (2) 36' m, 54' c
Ronaldson 39' c
Blade 66' m
Con: Cooney (8/10) 2', 19', 23', 29', 40', 42', 44', 55'		ReportTry: Meyer 6' c
Ruzza 11' c
Bellini 62' c
Con: Canna (3/3) 7', 12', 62'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 5,607
Referee: Tom Foley (RFU)
22 January 2017
16:15
Toulouse  19–10  Connacht
Try: Fickou 5' c
Bonneval 17' c
Tekori 46' m
Con: Doussain (2/3) 6', 18'		ReportTry: Muldoon 53' c
Con: Ronaldson (1/1) 54'
Pen: Ronaldson (1/2) 33'
Stadium Municipal
Attendance: 12,023
Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU)

Champions Cup play-offs edit

Main article: 2017–18 European Rugby Champions–Challenge Cup play-offs

Semi-final edit

20 May 2017
16:00 BST
Northampton Saints  21–15  Connacht
Try: Mallinder 1' c
Groom 56' m
Con: Mallinder (1/2) 2'
Pen: Mallinder (3/3) 15', 23', 70'		ReportTry: Adeolokun 4' c
Heffernan 61' m
Con: Ronaldson (1/2) 4'
Pen: Ronaldson (1/1) 28'
Franklin's Gardens, Northampton
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (FFR)
FB 15   Ahsee Tuala   78'
RW 14   Ben Foden
OC 13   Nafi Tuitavake
IC 12   Luther Burrell   23'
LW 11   George North
FH 10   Harry Mallinder
SH 9   Nic Groom   67'
N8 8   Louis Picamoles
OF 7   Teimana Harrison   58'
BF 6   Jamie Gibson   78' to 80'
RL 5   Christian Day   64'
LL 4   Courtney Lawes
TP 3   Kieran Brookes   62'
HK 2   Dylan Hartley (c)   59'
LP 1   Alex Waller   62'
Replacements:
HK 16   Mike Haywood   78'
PR 17   Campese Ma'afu   62'
PR 18   Gareth Denman   62'
LK 19   Api Ratuniyarawa   64'
FL 20   Tom Wood   58'
SH 21   Lee Dickson   67'
FH 22   Sam Olver
CE 23   Rory Hutchinson   23'
Coach:
  Jim Mallinder
FB 15   Tiernan O'Halloran
RW 14   Niyi Adeolokun
OC 13   Danie Poolman
IC 12   Craig Ronaldson
LW 11   Cian Kelleher   3'
FH 10   Jack Carty
SH 9   Kieran Marmion   66'
N8 8   John Muldoon (c)
OF 7   Jake Heenan   56'
BF 6   Seán O'Brien
RL 5   James Cannon   51'
LL 4   Quinn Roux
TP 3   Finlay Bealham   68'
HK 2   Dave Heffernan
LP 1   Denis Buckley
Replacements:
HK 16   Shane Delahunt
PR 17   JP Cooney
PR 18   Conor Carey   68'
LK 19   Ultan Dillane   51'
FL 20   Naulia Dawai   56'
SH 21   Caolin Blade
SH 22   John Cooney   66'
WG 23   Matt Healy   3'
Coach:
  Pat Lam

Notes edit

  1. ^ New Zealand-born and qualified for Samoa, Lam has represented both countries, but last played rugby for Samoa.

References edit

  1. ^ "My job in Connacht: Andre Bell, Backs & kicking coach". Irish Independent. 6 February 2015. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  2. ^ "Connacht suffer major blow as backs coach Bell opts to return to New Zealand". Irish Independent. 9 June 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  3. ^ "Carr and Muldowney among players leaving Connacht at end of season". The42. 4 April 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  4. ^ "A new seated stand is in place at the Sportsground for Connacht's upcoming season". The42. 31 August 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  5. ^ "Connacht appoint Willie Ruane as new CEO". Irish Independent. 8 May 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  6. ^ "Connacht confirm new three-year contract for head coach Pat Lam". Sky Sports. 21 January 2015. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  7. ^ "'I just came over here to visit my brother and I never left'". Irish Independent. 16 January 2015. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  8. ^ "Jimmy Duffy is new Connacht forwards coach". RTÉ Sport. 9 June 2015. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  9. ^ a b c "Conor McPhilips to replace Andre Bell as Connacht backs' coach". Irish Times. 8 June 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  10. ^ a b c "Former Irish international added to the Connacht coaching ticket for the remainder of the season". The42. 28 December 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  11. ^ "New Head Of Fitness And Increased Funding For Connacht". Irish Rugby. 19 May 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  12. ^ "Coach Profiles: Nigel Carolan". Irish Rugby. Archived from the original on 5 May 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  13. ^ "Injury-ravaged Connacht make 4 changes ahead of meeting with table toppers Munster". The42. 30 December 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2017. New recruit John Andress is named on the bench after the prop agreed a short-term contract, as Lam trues to manage numerous injury setbacks to his squad.
  14. ^ "Connacht sign Nottingham prop Conor Carey". Nottingham Rugby. 7 March 2016. Archived from the original on 26 October 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  15. ^ a b "Connacht add three to senior squad amidst injury crisis". Newstalk. 10 January 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  16. ^ "Pat Lam's Connacht sign Irish-qualified tighthead Robertson-McCoy". The42. 21 June 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  17. ^ "Connacht announce 4 contract extensions plus the addition of a Ukrainian-born prop". The42. 3 October 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  18. ^ "Connacht sign Wasps second-row James Cannon". Breaking News. 29 September 2016.
  19. ^ "Connacht to sign former Exeter Chiefs lock Lewis Stevenson". Planet Rugby. 8 August 2016.
  20. ^ "Connacht confirm signing of Fiji international back row Dawai". The42. 12 October 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  21. ^ "Connacht sign South Africa and Lions fly-half Marnitz Boshoff". RTÉ Sport. 14 March 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  22. ^ "Connacht bring Irish centre Farrell home from England". The42. 9 January 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  23. ^ "London Irish centre Eoin Griffin resigns with Connacht next season". RTÉ Sport. 14 December 2015.
  24. ^ "Connacht sign Auckland utility back Stace Ili". The42. 14 September 2016.
  25. ^ "Leinster fullback Cian Kelleher signs for Connacht next season". Sky Sports. 3 May 2016.
  26. ^ "Connacht sign Ireland Sevens winger Josh Rowland". Sky Sports. 14 July 2016.
  27. ^ "London Irish to sign Connacht hooker Jason Harris-Wright". Planet Rugby. 4 August 2016.
  28. ^ "Connacht and Ireland tighthead prop Rodney Ah You to join Ulster". BBC Sport. 18 January 2016.
  29. ^ "Ireland international White forced to retire from rugby after concussion injury". The42. 28 September 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  30. ^ "Grenoble confirm signing of Connacht lock Aly Muldowney next season". Irish Times. 20 April 2016.
  31. ^ "Harlequins to sign Connacht number eight George Naoupu". BBC Sport. 28 July 2016.
  32. ^ "Connacht scrum-half returns to old hometown club Banbridge RFC". Banbridge Leader. 16 August 2016.
  33. ^ "Sale Sharks sign USA fly-half AJ MacGinty from Connacht". Manchester Evening News. 31 March 2016.
  34. ^ "16 September 2016". Connacht Rugby. 6 June 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  35. ^ "Ireland centre Robbie Henshaw to join Leinster". BBC Sport. 16 February 2016.
  36. ^ "Connacht centre Dave McSharry force to retire at 26 because of injuries". Planet Rugby. 17 August 2016.
  37. ^ "Connacht utility back Api Pewhairangi switches codes to join league side London Broncos". Sky Sports. 23 May 2016.
  38. ^ "The cream of Ireland's domestic rugby talent back in action this weekend". The42. 16 September 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2017. Murphy, who has recruited his old school friend Fionn Carr fresh from the professional ranks
  39. ^ Competition Rule 3.5 "Summary of Key Rules". Pro12. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  40. ^ "Champions Cup Qualification". EPC Rugby. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  41. ^ "Statement on abandoned game between Zebre Rugby and Connacht Rugby". Pro 12. 17 September 2016. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  42. ^ "GUINNESS PRO12: IRISH PROVINCES' RESULTS AND FIXTURES". Irish Rugby. Archived from the original on 9 January 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2016–17_Connacht_Rugby_season&oldid=1222827463"