A second-half surge floored the Hollywoodbets Sharks and gave Irish side Connacht a handsome 29-12 win to book their place in the quarterfinals of the EPCR Challenge Cup on Friday night.
The Galway side was behind 12-7 at the break but produced a powerhouse second half to keep the South African side scoreless and surge ahead to win the match.
Connacht will now meet the winner of Montpellier vs Perpignan, to be played on Saturday, in their quarterfinal showdown next weekend, while the Sharks' disappointing European campaign has come to an end.
The Sharks had come to Ireland as heavy underdogs, especially with their mix-and-match selection missing several regulars, which raised doubts about their ability to win away from home.
But they played well in the first half hour, especially with the wind at their backs, and had the boot of Jean Smith to keep them ahead in the contest, but never looked like scoring a try on the night.
Once the wind was against them, Connacht grew in stature and controlled the game, giving Stuart Lancaster’s side a lot of forays into the 22 metre area, which they converted several times.
In the end, the Sharks fell apart and could not keep up with Connacht’s sustained pressure, leading to a one-sided second half and a result that would not have pleased coach JP Pietersen.
But it all looked so different at the end of the first half, with little warning of how the coming implosion would end their campaign. Because for much of that first half, the Sharks looked more composed, more in control and used Smith’s boot to keep them ahead on the scoreboard.
Connacht were initially disrupted when Josh Ioane left the field early in the first half with a head knock. In this time, Smith had kicked two penalties for an early 6-0 lead before Connacht scored the first try of the game.
Their first foray into the Sharks' 22 led to points, as they stretched the visitors out wide and created enough space for winger Clay Mullins to go over, with the conversion from Sam Gilbert putting the home side back into the lead.
But the Sharks played superbly tactically, forcing the penalties that Smith put over twice to take them to the halftime break 12-7 up, and give them hope of an upset.
That wouldn’t happen, though, as Connacht emerged from the tunnel a different side and immediately took control of the game.
Tough night in Galway.
— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) April 3, 2026
Congrats on the win, Connacht 🤝 pic.twitter.com/Mq8OUKAY0G
Midfielder Cathal Forde went straight up the middle to ghost through the defence and score under the posts, giving the home side a lead they never looked back from.
The Sharks were reeling and it wasn’t long before Connacht took advantage through a try from close range by flanker Shamus Hurley-Langton to take total control of the game.
Mullins magic! @connachtrugby strike first 💥#Rugby #ChallengeCupRugby pic.twitter.com/TR6NUi6aFl
— EPCR Challenge Cup (@ChallengeCup_) April 3, 2026
Forde scored a beauty of a second try to put the result beyond doubt and Gilbert added a late penalty to give the home fans plenty to cheer about.
For the Sharks, it was another disappointing end to a campaign that never took shape and leaves them focusing all their attention on the Vodacom United Rugby Championship to try and qualify for next season’s Investec Champions Cup.
Scorers
Connacht – Tries: Chay Mullins, Cathal Forde (2), Shamus Hurley-Langton. Conversions: Sam Gilbert (3). Penalty: Gilbert.
Hollywoodbets Sharks – Penalties: Jean Smith (4).