Connacht beat Saracens 45-36 in 13-try Champions Cup match

Connacht opened their Investec Champions Cup campaign with a 45-36 victory over Saracens at Dexcom Stadium in Galway on October 17, in a match featuring 13 tries and 81 points. Saracens made the stronger start, scoring twice in the opening minutes through Sione Vaenuku and Noah Caluori to lead 12-0. Connacht fought back with tries from Cian Prendergast and Cathal Forde, then moved ahead when Shamus Hurley-Langton scored from a rolling maul. Saracens levelled the match at 19-19 before halftime through Nick Tompkins, after Ben Earl’s powerful run helped create the opportunity. Prendergast scored his second try shortly after the restart, but Saracens answered through Rotimi Segun. Ciarán Frawley then crossed for Connacht, and Vaenuku’s second try kept Saracens within two points around the hour mark. Connacht pulled away with late scores from Caolin Blade and Frawley, who also completed a two-try performance. Elliot Daly scored late for Saracens, but the visitors could not close the gap. Connacht scored seven tries to Saracens’ six. The scoring was spread across both sides, with Connacht’s other try-scorers including Forde, Hurley-Langton and Blade, while Saracens also had tries...