2017–18 Connacht Rugby season

The 2017–18 season was Irish provincial rugby union side Connacht Rugby's seventeenth season competing in the Pro14, and the team's twenty-second season as a professional side. It was Kieran Keane's first and only season in charge of the side.

Connacht
2017–18 season
Head coachKieran Keane
Chief executiveWillie Ruane
CaptainJohn Muldoon
Pro146th, Conference A
Challenge CupQuarter-finals
Top try scorerLeague: Tiernan O'Halloran (6)
All: Matt Healy (12)
Top points scorerLeague: Jack Carty (123)
All: Jack Carty (179)
Highest home attendance8,129 v Gloucester
31 March 2018
8,129 v Leinster
28 April 2018
Lowest home attendance3,879 v Worcester Warriors
21 October 2017
Average home attendance5,780
Home colours
Away colours
Third colours
← 2016–17 2018–19 →

Connacht finished sixth in their seven-team Pro14 conference. As well as playing in the Pro14, the team competed in the Challenge Cup in Europe. They finished first in their pool and advanced to the knockout stage as third seed overall, but were defeated at home by Gloucester in the quarter-finals. The second tier side the Connacht Eagles competed in the 2017–18 British and Irish Cup, finishing third in their pool.

Background

Competition schedule

On 30 June 2017, BBC Wales reported that the two South African teams being dropped from the Super Rugby competition, the Cheetahs and Southern Kings, would be immediately added to Pro12.[1] Their involvement was confirmed on 1 August 2017.[2] The 14 teams were split into two conferences of seven, with each conference featuring two teams each from Ireland and Wales and one team each from Italy, Scotland and South Africa.[3] Connacht were named in Conference A. It was announced that each team would play the other teams in their own conference twice and those in the other conference once. In addition, Connacht would have two additional derby games against Leinster and Ulster, the Irish provinces in Conference B.[4]

Connacht were entered into the Challenge Cup in Europe, following a play-off defeat to Northampton Saints. The team was drawn in Pool 5 of the competition along with Brive, Worcester Warriors and Oyonnax.

Personnel changes

In February 2017, Connacht announced that New Zealander Kieran Keane, Chiefs attack coach, had signed a three-year contract to become their new head coach, replacing Pat Lam who moved to Bristol.[5] Following Keane's appointment, existing forwards coach Jimmy Duffy signed an extension to his deal and academy manager Nigel Carolan was promoted to backs coach, leaving his post as head coach of the Ireland under-20s to take the role.[6] In May 2017, Peter Wilkins joined from Edinburgh as defence coach.[7]

Among the prominent departures from the first team squad were Irish international scrum-half John Cooney, who joined Ulster, long-serving prop Ronan Loughney, who retired, and former Springbok Marnitz Boshoff, who departed a year earlier than initially planned for personal reasons. Incoming players included Australian flanker Jarrad Butler and prop Peter McCabe, who had previously been on loan with the team. The team also agreed a deal to sign Fiji international Eroni Vasiteri,[8] but the move was called off after he received a nine-week ban for gouging.[9] All Blacks Sevens player Pita Ahki was signed as a replacement.[10]

Coaching and management team

Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Individuals may hold more than one non-WR nationality.

Role Name Union
Chief Executive Willie Ruane[11]  Ireland
Team Manager Tim Allnut[12]  New Zealand
Head Coach Kieran Keane[13]  New Zealand
Forwards Coach Jimmy Duffy[14]  Ireland
Backs Coach Nigel Carolan[15]  Ireland
Defence Coach Peter Wilkins[16]  England
Head Performance Analyst Simon Kavanagh[17]  Ireland
Head of Strength and Conditiong David Howarth[18]  Australia
Strength and Conditioning Coach Johnny O'Connor[19]  Ireland
Academy Manager Eric Elwood[20]  Ireland
Connacht Eagles Coach Mossy Lawler[21]  Ireland

Players

Senior playing squad

The Connacht senior squad for 2017–18 was:[22]

Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-WR nationality.

Player Position Union
Shane Delahunt Hooker Ireland
Dave Heffernan Hooker Ireland
Tom McCartney* Hooker New Zealand
Pat O'Toole Hooker Ireland
Finlay Bealham Prop Ireland
Denis Buckley Prop Ireland
Conor Carey Prop Ireland
JP Cooney Prop Ireland
Denis Coulson Prop Ireland
Peter McCabe Prop Ireland
Dominic Robertson-McCoy* Prop New Zealand
Andrew Browne Lock Ireland
James Cannon* Lock England
Ultan Dillane Lock Ireland
Quinn Roux Lock Ireland
Gavin Thornbury Lock Ireland
Jarrad Butler Flanker Australia
James Connolly Flanker Ireland
Naulia Dawai Flanker Fiji
Jake Heenan* Flanker New Zealand
Eoin McKeon Flanker Ireland
Seán O'Brien Flanker Ireland
Eoghan Masterson Number 8 Ireland
John Muldoon (c) Number 8 Ireland
Player Position Union
Caolin Blade Scrum-half Ireland
Kieran Marmion Scrum-half Ireland
Conor McKeon Scrum-half Ireland
James Mitchell* Scrum-half England
Jack Carty Fly-half Ireland
Steve Crosbie Fly-half Ireland
Andrew Deegan Fly-half Australia
Pita Ahki Centre New Zealand
Bundee Aki Centre Ireland
Tom Farrell Centre Ireland
Eoin Griffin Centre Ireland
Peter Robb Centre Ireland
Craig Ronaldson Centre Ireland
Niyi Adeolokun Wing Ireland
Cormac Brennan Wing Ireland
Matt Healy Wing Ireland
Stacey Ili Wing New Zealand
Rory Scholes Wing Ireland
Cian Kelleher Fullback Ireland
Darragh Leader Fullback Ireland
Tiernan O'Halloran Fullback Ireland
  • Senior 15's internationally capped players in bold
  • Players qualified to play for Ireland on dual nationality or residency grounds*
  • Irish Provinces are currently limited to four non-Irish eligible (NIE) players and one non-Irish qualified player (NIQ or "Project Player").[23] Connacht is exempted from this under a separate development arrangement.[24]

Academy squad

The Connacht academy squad for 2017–18 was:[25]

Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-WR nationality.

Player Position Union
Matthew Burke (year 1) Prop Ireland
Conor Kenny (year 2) Prop Ireland
Conor Kyne (year 3) Prop Ireland
Conán O'Donnell (year 3) Prop Ireland
Peter Claffey (year 2) Lock Ireland
Cillian Gallagher (year 2) Lock Ireland
Harley Fox (year 1) Flanker Australia
Sean Masterson (year 1) Flanker Ireland
Paul Boyle (year 1) Number 8 Ireland
Player Position Union
Ryan Feehily (year 1) Scrum-half Ireland
Stephen Kerins (year 2) Scrum-half Ireland
Luke Carty (year 1) Fly-half Ireland
Kieran Joyce (year 1) Centre Ireland
Jordan Conroy (year 1) Wing Ireland
Colm de Buitléar (year 1) Wing Ireland
Adam Leavy (year 2) Wing Ireland
Matthew Byrne (year 2) Fullback Ireland

Senior team transfers
For player movement in the Pro14 leading up to the 2017–18 season, see List of 2017–18 Pro14 transfers.

Playing kit

The official Connacht team and support staff kit supplier for the season was Australian manufacturer BLK sport, who had supplied the full range of apparel for all of Connacht Rugby's representative teams and support staff since 2013.[48] Connacht's main shirt sponsors were Irish sporting retailer Intersport Elverys, in the second year of a three-year deal.[49]

Connacht launched their new home kit for the season in July 2017, in the traditional green.[50] The team launched new away and European kits in August 2017 during a pre-season friendly against former head coach Pat Lam's side Bristol, wearing the away kit in the first half and the European kit in the second half. The away kit was primarily cyan and white, with white shorts and socks, while the European kit was primarily blue and lime green, with blue shorts and lime green socks.[51]

Results

Pro14
Main article: 2017–18 Pro14
2017–18 Pro14 Tables
Conference A
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP PTS
1 Glasgow Warriors (SF) 211515614366+248813812276
2 Munster (SF) 211317568361+207784210569
3 Cheetahs (QF) 211209609554+55756810563
4 Cardiff Blues 2111010502482+2056595554
5 Ospreys 219012390487−9744605344
6 Connacht 217014445477−3253545639
7 Zebre 217014408593–18550784436
Conference B
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP PTS
1 Leinster (CH) 211416601374+227834610270
2 Scarlets (RU) 211416528365+16369439370
3 Edinburgh (QF) 211506494375+11962447168
4 Ulster (PO) 211227538482+5668618262
5 Benetton 2111010415451−3651556555
6 Dragons 212217378672−29443944420
7 Southern Kings 211020378829−451481194311
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order -[52]
  1. number of matches won
  2. the difference between points for and points against
  3. the number of tries scored
  4. the most points scored
  5. the difference between tries for and tries against
  6. the fewest red cards received
  7. the fewest yellow cards received

Green background indicates teams that competed in the Pro14 play-offs, and also earned a place in the 2018–19 European Champions Cup
(excluding South African teams who are ineligible)
Blue background indicates teams outside the play-off places that earned a place in the 2018–19 European Champions Cup, including the winner of the play-off between the two fourth-ranked European teams in each conference
Yellow background indicates the loser of the play-off between the two fourth-ranked European teams in each conference, that earned a place in the 2018–19 European Rugby Challenge Cup.
Plain background indicates teams that earned a place in the 2018–19 European Rugby Challenge Cup.
(CH) Champions. (RU) Runners-up. (SF) Losing semi-finalists. (QF) Losing quarter-finalists. (PO) Champions Cup play-off winners.

    2 September 2017
    19:35
    (1 BP) Connacht 12–18 Glasgow Warriors
    Pen: J. Carty (4/4) 1', 19', 40', 60'
    		 Report[53] Try: Price 47' c
    L. Jones 71' m
    Con: P. Horne (1/2) 48'
    Pen: P. Horne (2/3) 11', 45'
    Galway Sportsgrounds
    Attendance: 4,017
    Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
    9 September 2017
    19:35
    (1 BP) Connacht 32–10 Southern Kings
    Try: Farrell 14' c
    E. Masterson 33' c
    Dillane 40' c
    Leader 69' m
    Con: J. Carty (3/3) 15', 34', 40'
    Pen: J. Carty (2/2) 26', 47'
    		 Report[54] Try: B. Klaasen 31' m
    Pupuma 77' m
    Galway Sportsgrounds
    Attendance: 5,104
    Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)
    15 September 2017
    19:30
    Dragons 21–8 Connacht
    Try: Amos 1' m
    Dee 18' c
    Con: Henson (1/2) 19'
    Pen: Henson (3/4) 23', 27', 36'
    		 Report[55] Try: Roux 52' m
    Pen: J. Carty (1/1) 6'
    Rodney Parade
    Attendance: 5,069
    Referee: Quinton Immelman (SARU)
    23 September 2017
    15:15
    (1 BP) Connacht 15–17 Cardiff Blues
    Try: Leader 59' m
    Delahunt 74' c
    Con: Leader (1/1) 75'
    Pen: Ronaldson (1/1) 10'
    		 Report[56] Try: Halaholo (2) 37' c, 77' c
    Con: Shingler (1/1) 38'
    Evans (1/1) 79'
    Pen: Shingler (1/1) 63'
    Galway Sportsgrounds
    Attendance: 4,659
    Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR)
    29 September 2017
    19:35
    (1 BP) Scarlets 36–27 Connacht
    Try: McNicholl 7' c
    S. Evans 17' m
    Patchell 24' c
    Halfpenny 38' c
    Beirne 77' c
    Con: Halfpenny (4/5) 8', 26', 39', 79'
    Pen: Halfpenny (1/2) 57'
    		 Report[57] Try: J. Carty 9' c
    O'Halloran (2) 30' c, 73' m
    Kelleher 35' m
    Con: J. Carty (2/4) 10', 31'
    Pen: J. Carty (1/2) 22'
    Parc y Scarlets
    Attendance: 7,693
    Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)
    6 October 2017
    19:35
    Ulster 16–8 Connacht
    Try: Stockdale 56' c
    Con: Cooney (1/1) 56'
    Pen: Cooney (3/3) 28', 44', 53'
    		 Report[58] Try: McCartney 35' m
    Pen: J. Carty (1/1) 49'
    Kingspan Stadium
    Attendance: 14,363
    Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
    27 October 2017
    19:35
    Connacht 20–16 Munster (1 BP)
    Try: O'Halloran 22' c
    Farrell 66' c
    Con: J. Carty (1/1) 22'
    Ronaldson (1/1) 67'
    Pen: J. Carty (2/3) 39', 50'
    		 Report[59] Try: Zebo 3' c
    Con: Keatley (1/1) 4'
    Pen: Keatley (2/2) 16', 30'
    Hanrahan (1/1) 65'
    Galway Sportsgrounds
    Attendance: 7,089
    Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)
    4 November 2017
    19:35
    Connacht 23–15 Cheetahs
    Try: Adeolokun 12' c
    McCartney 48' c
    Con: Ronaldson (1/1) 13'
    J. Carty (1/1) 49'
    Pen: Ronaldson (2/3) 5', 29'
    Crosbie (1/1) 73'
    		 Report[60] Try: S. Venter 67' m
    Mapimpi 75' c
    Con: Zeilinga (1/2) 76'
    Pen: Stapelberg (1/2) 40'
    Galway Sportsgrounds
    Attendance: 6,012
    Referee: Frank Murphy (IRFU)
    24 November 2017
    19:35
    Cardiff Blues 36–30 Connacht (2 BP)
    Try: Robinson 17' c
    Morgan 52' c
    Lane 60' c
    Con: Evans (1/1) 18'
    Anscombe (2/2) 53', 61'
    Pen: Evans (3/3) 15', 23', 37'
    Anscombe (2/2) 73', 80'
    		 Report[61] Try: Adeolokun 29' c
    Delahunt (2) 55' m, 70' m
    Muldoon 75' c
    Con: J. Carty (1/2) 30'
    Crosbie (1/2) 76'
    Pen: J. Carty (2/2) 12', 33'
    Cardiff Arms Park
    Attendance: 5,042
    Referee: Craig Evans (WRU)
    2 December 2017
    14:15
    Zebre 24–10 Connacht
    Try: Meyer 67' c
    Venditti 76' m
    Con: Canna (1/2) 68'
    Pen: Canna (3/4) 10', 40', 61'
    Drop: Canna (1/1) 74'
    		 Report[62] Try: Farrell 43' c
    Con: Crosbie (1/1) 44'
    Pen: J. Carty (1/2) 66'
    Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
    Attendance: 2,000
    Referee: George Clancy (IRFU)
    23 December 2017
    19:35
    (1 BP) Connacht 44–16 Ulster
    Try: E. Masterson 2' m
    Aki 7' c
    O'Halloran 24' m
    Dillane (2) 54' c, 75' c
    Butler 59' c
    Con: J. Carty (4/6) 8', 56', 61', 76'
    Pen: J. Carty (2/2) 40', 47'
    		 Report[63] Try: Gilroy 65' m
    Lyttle 79' m
    Pen: Cooney (2/2) 23', 32'
    Galway Sportsgrounds
    Attendance: 7,629
    Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)
    1 January 2018
    15:15
    Leinster 21–18 Connacht (1 BP)
    Try: Deegan 28' m
    L. McGrath 60' c
    Con: Sexton (1/2) 61'
    Pen: Sexton (3/3) 6', 25', 49'
    		 Report[64] Try: Bealham 38' c
    Healy 68' m
    Con: J. Carty (1/2) 39'
    Pen: J. Carty (2/2) 1', 34'
    RDS Arena
    Attendance: 17,112
    Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
    6 January 2018
    19:45
    (1 BP) Munster 39–13 Connacht
    Try: O'Shea 19' c
    Conway 53' c
    Earls 59' m
    Murray (2) 63' c, 69' c
    Con: Keatley (4/5) 20', 54', 64', 70'
    Pen: Keatley (2/2) 30', 50'
    		 Report[65] Try: McCartney 77' c
    Con: Ronaldson (1/1) 78'
    Pen: J. Carty (2/2) 2', 24'
    Thomond Park
    Attendance: 18,604
    Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU)
    9 February 2018
    19:35
    Connacht 26–15 Ospreys
    Try: E. Masterson 40' c
    Farrell 68' c
    Con: Ronaldson (2/2) 40', 69'
    Pen: Ronaldson (4/5) 9', 23' 53', 75'
    		 Report[66] Try: Howells 18' m
    Morgan-Williams 71' c
    Con: S. Davies (1/2) 72'
    Pen: S. Davies (1/3) 62'
    Galway Sportsgrounds
    Attendance: 5,242
    Referee: Stuart Berry (SARU)
    16 February 2018
    19:35
    Connacht 11–19 Zebre
    Try: Leader 72' m
    Pen: Ronaldson (2/3) 16', 40'
    		 Report[67] Try: Giammarioli 18' c
    Di Giulio 46' m
    Andrea De Marchi (rugby union, born 1988)De Marchi 64' c
    Con: Canna (2/3) 19', 65'
    Galway Sportsgrounds
    Attendance: 5,400
    Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)
    24 February 2018
    12:00
    (1 BP) Benetton 19–22 Connacht
    Try: Tebaldi 35' c
    Ioane 58' m
    Fuser 80' c
    Con: Banks (2/3) 37', 80'
    		 Report[68] Try: Bealham 43' m
    Butler 61' c
    Griffin 73' c
    Con: Carty (2/3) 62', 74'
    Pen: Carty (1/2) 70'
    Stadio Comunale di Monigo
    Attendance: 2,100
    Referee: Lloyd Linton (SRU)
    3 March 2018
    17:35
    Cheetahs 26–25 Connacht (1 BP)
    Try: Cassiem 3' c
    Maxwane 60' c
    Con: N. Marais (2/2) 4', 61'
    Pen: N. Marais (4/5) 9', 17', 24', 79'
    		 Report[69] Try: Healy (2) 14' c, 20' m
    Griffin 57' c
    Con: J. Carty (2/3) 15', 58'
    Pen: J. Carty (2/3) 38', 42'
    Toyota Stadium
    Attendance: 6,095
    Referee: Stuart Berry (SARU)
    23 March 2018
    19:35
    (1 BP) Connacht 22–29 Edinburgh
    Try: O'Halloran 11' c
    Farrell 16' c
    Bealham 65' m
    Con: J. Carty (2/2) 12', 17'
    Pen: J. Carty (1/2) 39'
    		 Report[70] Try: Fife 1' m
    Van der Merwe 22' m
    Weir 72' c
    Con: Weir (1/1) 73'
    Pen: Van der Walt (1/1) 7'
    Weir (3/3) 61', 70', 80'
    Galway Sportsgrounds
    Attendance: 5,048
    Referee: George Clancy (IRFU)
    6 April 2018
    19:35
    (1 BP) Ospreys 39–10 Connacht
    Try: Hassler 14' c
    Evans 26' c
    Otten 52' c
    Beck 60' c
    Dirksen 66' m
    Con: Biggar (4/5) 15', 27', 52', 61'
    Pen: Biggar (2/2) 2', 9'
    		 Try: Ronaldson 21' c
    Con: Ronaldson (1/1) 22'
    Pen: J. Carty (1/2) 39'
    Liberty Stadium
    Attendance: 8,092
    Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
    13 April 2018
    19:35
    (1 BP) Glasgow Warriors 35–22 Connacht
    Try: Hogg 3' c
    Dunbar 26' c
    Brown 40' c
    Pyrgos 43' m
    Con: P. Horne (3/4) 4', 27', 40'
    Pen: P. Horne (3/3) 7', 13', 21'
    		 Report[71] Try: Bealham 1' m
    Blade 67' c
    Penalty try 75'
    Con: J. Carty (1/2) 68'
    Pen: J. Carty (1/1) 24'
    Scotstoun Stadium
    Attendance: 7,351
    Referee: Frank Murphy (IRFU)
    28 April 2018
    15:05
    (1 BP) Connacht 47–10 Leinster
    Try: Adeolokun (2) 2' c, 41' m
    O'Halloran 28' c
    Marmion (2) 32' c, 49' c
    Aki 70' c
    Blade 75' c
    Con: J. Carty (4/5) 4', 28', 32', 50'
    Ronaldson (1/1) 71'
    Muldoon (1/1) 76'
    		 Report[72] Try: B. Daly 53' c
    Con: Carbery (1/1) 54'
    Pen: Carbery (1/2) 12'
    Galway Sportsgrounds
    Attendance: 8,129
    Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)

    Challenge Cup
    Main article: 2017–18 European Rugby Challenge Cup

    Pool 5
    Team
    		 P W D L PF PA Diff TF TA TB LB Pts
    Connacht (3) 6510225102+12329154026
    Brive (7) 6303161162−123194117
    Worcester Warriors 6213124133–916173215
    Oyonnax 6105102215−1131128004
    14 October 2017
    20:00
    Oyonnax 15–43 Connacht (1 BP)
    Try: Tian 25' c
    Müller 30' m
    Con: Audy (1/2) 26'
    Pen: Ruiz (1/1) 3'
    		 Report Try: Healy (2) 3' c, 51' c
    Kelleher 11' m
    McKeon 22' c
    Leader 79' m
    Con: Deegan (3/5) 4', 24', 52'
    Pen: Deegan (4/4) 38', 44', 57', 61'
    Stade de Genève
    Attendance: 3,500
    Referee: Tom Foley (RFU)
    21 October 2017
    15:00
    Connacht 15–8 Worcester Warriors (1 BP)
    Try: E. Masterson 5' m
    Healy 57' c
    Con: J. Carty (1/2) 58'
    Pen: J. Carty (1/1) 20'
    		 Report Try: Adams 51' m
    Pen: Lance (1/1) 74'
    Galway Sportsgrounds
    Attendance: 3,879
    Referee: Ian Davies (WRU)
    9 December 2017
    21:00
    (2 BP) Brive 31–38 Connacht (1 BP)
    Try: Tadjer (2) 15' c, 45' c
    Cazenave 24' c
    Brugnaut 28' m
    Namy 70' m
    Con: Germain (3/4) 16', 25', 47'
    		 Report Try: Dillane 31' c
    Marmion 39' c
    J. Carty 48' c
    Kelleher 61' m
    Con: J. Carty (3/4) 32', 40', 49'
    Pen: J. Carty (4/4) 6', 43', 59', 67'
    Stade Amédée-Domenech
    Attendance: 3,000
    Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys (RFU)
    16 December 2017
    15:00
    (1 BP) Connacht 55–10 Brive
    Try: Healy (4) 5' c, 49' c, 57' c, 69' c
    J. Carty 32' c
    Marmion 60' c
    Farrell 74' c
    Con: J. Carty (7/7) 6', 33', 50', 59', 61', 70', 75'
    Pen: J. Carty (2/2) 12', 41'
    		 Report Try: Germain 29' c
    Con: Germain (1/1) 29'
    Pen: Germain (1/1) 39'
    Galway Sportsgrounds
    Attendance: 5,572
    Referee: Ian Tempest (RFU)
    13 January 2018
    15:00
    (1 BP) Worcester Warriors 24–24 Connacht
    Try: Humphreys (2) 1' c, 22' m
    Lewis 4' m
    Adams 38' c
    Con: Pennell (2/3) 3', 40'
    		 Report Try: Muldoon 16' c
    Adeolokun 26' c
    O'Halloran 59' c
    Con: Ronaldson (3/3) 17', 26', 59'
    Pen: Ronaldson (1/1) 53'
    Sixways Stadium
    Attendance: 6,670
    Referee: Alexandre Ruiz (FFR)
    20 January 2018
    14:30
    (1 BP) Connacht 50–14 Oyonnax
    Try: Adeolokun (3) 1' m, 3' c, 31' m
    Aki 10' c
    O'Halloran 19' m
    Healy 33' c
    Farrell 66' c
    Penalty try 75'
    Con: Ronaldson (2/4) 3', 11'
    O'Halloran (2/3) 34', 67'
    		 Report Try: Müller 16' c
    Ikpefan 39' c
    Con: Fuertes (1/1) 17'
    Hall (1/1) 40'
    Galway Sportsgrounds
    Attendance: 5,017
    Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys (RFU)

    Pool winners and runners-up rankings
    Rank Pool Leaders Pts Diff TF
    1 Pau29+8228
    2 Newcastle Falcons28+10733
    3 Connacht26+12329
    4 Edinburgh25+18440
    5 Cardiff Blues21+412
    Rank Pool Runners–up Pts Diff TF
    6 Gloucester21+11437
    7 Brive17–123
    8 Stade Français17–1521
    9 Dragons16+2321
    10 Toulouse14–314

    Quarter-finals
    31 March 2018
    13:00
    Connacht (3) 28–33 (6) Gloucester
    Try: Marmion 7' m
    Aki 19' m
    Adeolokun 45' m
    Healy 70' c
    Con: Ronaldson (1/1) 71'
    Pen: J. Carty (1/1) 49'
    Ronaldson (1/1) 67'
    		 Report Try: Hanson 3' m
    Marshall 26' m
    Trinder 37' m
    Afoa 55' c
    Con: Williams (2/4) 38', 57'
    Pen: Williams (2/2) 42', 63'
    Twelvetrees (1/1) 77'
    Galway Sportsgrounds
    Attendance: 8,129
    Referee: Romain Poite (FFR)

    References
    1. Lloyd, Matt; Griffiths, Gareth (30 June 2017). "South African sides Cheetahs and Southern Kings set to join Pro12". BBC Sport Wales. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
    2. "Statement: Expansion to Guinness PRO14 Championship". pro12rugby.com. 1 August 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
    3. "Pro14: Who's in? How will conferences work? What about derby matches?". BBC Sport. 1 August 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
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