Frawley scores twice on debut as Connacht edge Benetton 22-19

Ciaran Frawley marked his Connacht debut with two tries, including a 77th-minute winner, as the Irish side beat Benetton 22-19 in Treviso in the United Rugby Championship. According to BBC Sport’s match report, the late score secured both a four-try bonus point and Connacht’s first victory of the season after their opening defeat by Stormers.

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Connacht began with an early breakthrough from Cian Prendergast, who was making his first start of the season. Sean Jansen supplied a quick pass from a ruck and Prendergast crossed after five minutes. Benetton answered almost immediately through hooker Bautista Bernasconi, with the home forwards using a maul to bring their side back level.

Sean O’Brien restored Connacht’s advantage in the 17th minute, finishing an attack involving Francois van Wyk and Frawley. The pace of scoring then slowed as the sides contested a tighter spell through the remainder of the opening quarter and beyond. BBC Sport reported an improved Connacht scrum performance compared with the one seen in their loss to Stormers.

Two more tries arrived in the final five minutes of the first half. Leonardo Marin scored for Benetton before Frawley replied, with both efforts converted. That exchange left Connacht leading 17-12 at the interval after a half containing five tries. The visitors had scored three of them, putting a try bonus point within reach before the second half began.

Benetton’s forwards shifted the balance after the restart. Bernasconi crossed for his second try following another strong passage from the home pack, and the converted score moved Benetton into a 19-17 lead. Connacht faced a more physical contest than the early exchanges had offered, with the hosts overturning the five-point deficit they had carried into half-time.

Frawley supplied the decisive response with three minutes of normal time remaining, finding room on the left wing to score his second try. The Ireland international’s finish gave Connacht their fourth try and restored a three-point advantage. Prendergast and O’Brien completed the visitors’ try-scoring list, while Benetton finished with Bernasconi’s double and Marin’s first-half effort.