Connacht were made to sweat it out all the way, but in the end achieved a record of five successive wins on the trot when they overcame Roma in Italy yesterday.
In the sweltering heat of the Italian capital Connacht made hard work of disposing of a side that had amassed some 19 European losses. Leading by 17-10 for most of the second half, Connacht survived the loss of Johnny O'Connor with a red card, a return of just one successful kick from five penalty attempts by an off-form Eric Elwood, and a Roma side that gained in confidence with every drop of sweat expended.
Certainly their poorest display of this most successful season, Connacht will be glad it occurred against a side that could not capitalise on their errors. And nothing should detract from that result - even if it was not achieved in the best manner.
Captain Mark McConnell was one of several who believed the team's warm-up was over vigorous for the sweltering conditions, effectively draining the players before the kick-off.
Certainly Connacht were quick off the mark with a try by Wyane Munn after five minutes, but thereafter Connacht struggled to cope with the humidity.
But if this was Connacht's poorest performance, it was probably Roma's best. In the second half when international wing Fabio Rosselli went over for a try to close the gap to seven points, it was just the incentive Roma needed as they outplayed Connacht in the territorial stakes.
Against better opposition Connacht would have paid dearly for their lethargy, and for the first time this season it appeared that Connacht's strength - their will to win and commitment - had become their weakness.
Outhalf Eric Elwood, always the linchpin, had a poor day, missing four out of five penalty kicks which would have put the game out of Roma's reach early on.
But there were enough hearty performances from Gavin Duffy, Johnny O'Connor, Marnus Uijs, Pat Duignan, Paul Neville, Eoin Reddan and Rowan Frost to scramble together a victory that keeps their European campaign on track.
While a hammering similar to that inflicted by Sale the previous week was never on the cards, it looked like Connacht would win handy when after several phases of possession left-wing Wayne Munn strode in for a try after just five minutes which Elwood converted.
Roma kept in touch with an eighth-minute penalty, but Connacht scored their second try after 28 minutes when Marnus Uijs raced in from the 22 from a back-line move that involved some slick passing from forwards Des Dillon and Rown Frost. Elwood's conversion made it 3-14, before he added a 40th-minute effort for a 3-17 half-time lead.
When Roma's left-wing international Fabio Rosselli intercepted an attempted pass from a tackled Frost and had a straight run in from 25 metres out, Roma's fightback started.
And as Elwood missed a further three penalties it became increasingly possible that the home side could sneak a win. The prospect became more likely when O'Connor was dismissed after kicking an opponent for which he will receive a three-week ban that sees him miss the next European clash with Sale.
A fine break from Reddan and Duffy failed to break the much-needed deadlock, and replacement outhalf Mark McHugh missed a 79th-minute penalty.
With an expected five minutes of injury time to be played, Connacht were relieved when the referee blew up after McHugh's second effort after 82 minutes was successful.
CONNACHT: G Duffy; P Duignan, D Yapp, T Allnutt, W Munn; E Elwood, E Reddan; D McFarland, M Uijs, P Bracken, R Frost, M McConnell, P Neville, J O'Connor, D Dillon. Replacements: R McCormack for Bracken (49 mins), C RIgney for Dillon (53 mins), D Browne for Frost (68 mins), T Kearns for Uijs (75 mins), M McHugh for Elwood (68 mins), J Ferris for Reddan (81 mins).
ROMA, A Onori; A Ausiello, G Camardon, N Zisti, F Roselli; A Merlo, G Mazzi; F Patrizi, V Esposito, M Pereyra, E Matrullo, F Pennese, D de Luca, F Spazzolini, C Caione (cpt). Replacements: M Cuttitta for Patrizi (half-time), A Murrazzani for Esposito, (59 mins), C Penteriani for Ausiello and S Virgilio for de Luca (75 mins), A Murrazzani for Esposito, yellow card: V Esposito (30 mins), red card, Johnny O'Connor (74 mins).
Referee: N Owens (Wales).
