RUGBY:CONNACHT BROUGHT a nine-match losing run to an end by notching their ninth victory on French soil on Saturday night when they shocked a Bayonne side (35-21) who needed to win to stay in the hunt for a quarter-final spot.

Connacht were awarded a penalty try after 16 minutes when Fionn Carr was taken out. Ian Keatley added the extras. Bayonne hit back with a third penalty from scrumhalf Julien Audy before Connacht’s Andrew Browne and Bayonne Sebastien Fauque were yellow carded.

Keatley landed a penalty and pushed Connacht 22-9 in front seven minutes from the break. Bayonne hit back just before the break with a try from Thibault Lacroix, with Audy adding the conversion.

Bayonne’s Marc Baget crossed for a 43rd minute try but Keatley hit another penalty after 58 minutes to leave it 25-21. Seán Cronin put Brian Tuohy in for the decisive score seven minutes from time and Carr sealed the win with a breakaway try before Bayonne’s Jean Jo Marmouyet was sent off.