Connacht vs Sharks | EPCR Challenge Cup

Connacht

Sharks

Friday 3 Apr 2026

The Sportsground, TBC

Connacht

Sharks

Tries

Cathal Forde 62'; 46'

Shamus Hurley-Langton 54'

Chay Mullins 21'

Conversions

Sam Gilbert 63'; 47'; 22'

Penalties

Sam Gilbert 69'

Jean Smith 33'; 31'; 20'; 5';

06:48

Connacht Rugby v Hollywoodbets Sharks | Match Highlights | European Rugby Challenge Cup

Timeline

End of Second Half

80'

Colm Reilly

Out: Matthew Devine

69'

John Devine

Out: Sam Gilbert

69'

Sam Gilbert

Penalty

69'

Ceano Everson

Out: Ross Braude

69'

Siya Masuku

Out: Hakeem Kunene

65'

Ethan Bester

Out: Eduan Swart

63'

Niall Murray

Out: Joe Joyce

63'

Sam Gilbert

Conversion

63'

Cathal Forde

Try

62'

Paul Boyle

Out: Josh Murphy

59'

Dylan Tierney-Martin

Out: Dave Heffernan

56'

Vincent Tshituka

Out: Jannes Potgieter

56'

Corne Rahl

Out: Eben Etzebeth

56'

Mawande Mdanda

Out: Vincent Koch

55'

Lee-Marvin Mazibuko

Out: Ox Nche

55'

Shamus Hurley-Langton

Try

54'

Finlay Bealham

Out: Sam Illo

53'

Peter Dooley

Out: Billy Bohan

53'

Ethan Hooker

Out: Makazole Mapimpi

47'

Sam Gilbert

Conversion

47'

Cathal Forde

Try

46'

Start of Second Half

40'

End of First Half

40'

Jean Smith

Penalty

33'

Jean Smith

Penalty

31'

Sam Gilbert

Conversion

22'

Chay Mullins

Try

21'

Jean Smith

Penalty

20'

Sean Naughton

Out: Josh Ioane

17'

Jean Smith

Penalty

Start of First Half

Top Stats

Tries

Conversions

Penalties

See Full Stats

Current Standings

POS

Team

Pts

Connacht

108

See Full Table

Top Performers

Ball Carries

M. Potgieter

Ball Carries: 15

Tackles

T. Mavesere

Tackles: 18

Points

J. Smith

Points: 12

Insights

EPCR Challenge Cup

Points per match

4212

Tries per match

Penalties Conceded per match

Match Information

The Sportsground, TBC

EPCR Challenge Cup

Friday 3 Apr 2026

The Sportsground, TBC

Connacht

Sharks

Tries

Cathal Forde 62'; 46'

Shamus Hurley-Langton 54'

Chay Mullins 21'

Conversions

Sam Gilbert 63'; 47'; 22'

Penalties

Sam Gilbert 69'

Jean Smith 33'; 31'; 20'; 5';

Timeline

End of Second Half

80'

Colm Reilly

Out: Matthew Devine

69'

John Devine

Out: Sam Gilbert

69'

Sam Gilbert

Penalty

69'

Ceano Everson

Out: Ross Braude

69'

Siya Masuku

Out: Hakeem Kunene

65'

Ethan Bester

Out: Eduan Swart

63'

Niall Murray

Out: Joe Joyce

63'

Sam Gilbert

Conversion

63'

Cathal Forde

Try

62'

Paul Boyle

Out: Josh Murphy

59'

Dylan Tierney-Martin

Out: Dave Heffernan

56'

Vincent Tshituka

Out: Jannes Potgieter

56'

Corne Rahl

Out: Eben Etzebeth

56'

Mawande Mdanda

Out: Vincent Koch

55'

Lee-Marvin Mazibuko

Out: Ox Nche

55'

Shamus Hurley-Langton

Try

54'

Finlay Bealham

Out: Sam Illo

53'

Peter Dooley

Out: Billy Bohan

53'

Ethan Hooker

Out: Makazole Mapimpi

47'

Sam Gilbert

Conversion

47'

Cathal Forde

Try

46'

Start of Second Half

40'

End of First Half

40'

Jean Smith

Penalty

33'

Jean Smith

Penalty

31'

Sam Gilbert

Conversion

22'

Chay Mullins

Try

21'

Jean Smith

Penalty

20'

Sean Naughton

Out: Josh Ioane

17'

Jean Smith

Penalty

Start of First Half

Top Stats

4Tries0

Conversions

Penalties

Drop Goals

Scrums

Lineouts

Possession

Territory

Handling Errors

Passes

147

146

Offload

Metres Gained

378

374

Clean Breaks

Kicks From Hand

Tackles

180

136

Missed Tackles

Mauls

Yellow Cards

Red Cards

Penalties Conceded

Head to Head

Previous 5 meetings

Won

29 Nov 2025

44 - 17

United Rugby Championship

28 Sep 2024

36 - 30

United Rugby Championship

18 Nov 2023

12 - 13

United Rugby Championship

7 Jan 2023

24 - 12

United Rugby Championship

30 Apr 2022

41 - 21

United Rugby Championship

Head to Head

Previous 5 meetings

Won

Last 5 Meetings

29 Nov 2025

44 - 17

United Rugby Championship

28 Sep 2024

36 - 30

United Rugby Championship

18 Nov 2023

12 - 13

United Rugby Championship

7 Jan 2023

24 - 12

United Rugby Championship

30 Apr 2022

41 - 21

United Rugby Championship

Form Guide

Last 5 matches

Connacht

Zebre 15 - 31 Connacht

31 Jan 2026 • United Rugby Championship

Glasgow Warriors 15 - 10 Connacht

28 Feb 2026 • United Rugby Championship

Llanelli Scarlets 31 - 14 Connacht

13 Mar 2026 • United Rugby Championship

Ulster 19 - 26 Connacht

20 Mar 2026 • United Rugby Championship

Ospreys 21 - 14 Connacht

28 Mar 2026 • United Rugby Championship

Sharks

Stormers 36 - 24 Sharks

31 Jan 2026 • United Rugby Championship

Lions 34 - 22 Sharks

21 Feb 2026 • United Rugby Championship

Bulls 41 - 12 Sharks

28 Feb 2026 • United Rugby Championship

Munster 45 - 0 Sharks

21 Mar 2026 • United Rugby Championship

Cardiff Rugby 21 - 15 Sharks

27 Mar 2026 • United Rugby Championship

Form Guide

Last 5 matches

Line Up

Billy Bohan

Dave Heffernan

Sam Illo

Joe Joyce

Darragh Murray

Josh Murphy

Shamus Hurley-Langton

Cian Prendergast

Matthew Devine

Josh Ioane

Chay Mullins

Bundee Aki

Cathal Forde

Shane Jennings

Sam Gilbert

Ox Nche

Eduan Swart

Vincent Koch

Eben Etzebeth

Deon Slabbert

Tinotenda Mavesere

Jannes Potgieter

Nick Hatton

Ross Braude

Jean Smith

Makazole Mapimpi

Marnus Potgieter

Le Roux Malan

Edwill van der Merwe

Hakeem Kunene

Substitutes

Dylan Tierney-Martin

Peter Dooley

Finlay Bealham

Niall Murray

Paul Boyle

Colm Reilly

Sean Naughton

John Devine

Ethan Bester

Lee-Marvin Mazibuko

Mawande Mdanda

Corne Rahl

Vincent Tshituka

Ceano Everson

Siya Masuku

Ethan Hooker

Match Videos

06:48

Connacht Rugby v Hollywoodbets Sharks | Match Highlights | European Rugby Challenge Cup

Commentary

80’

End of second half

It's all over! The referee Sam Grove-White has blown their whistle to end the game.

74’

Clean break

Chay Mullins

Jersey Number 11 • Back 3

A gap opened in the defence and Chay Mullins took full advantage.

70’

Clean break

Cathal Forde

Jersey Number 13 • Back 5

A gap opened in the defence and Cathal Forde took full advantage.

69’

Substitution on

Colm Reilly

Jersey Number 21 • Replacement 6

Connacht Rugby make a substitution with Colm Reilly coming on.

69’

Substitution off

Matthew Devine

Jersey Number 9 • Back 1

Connacht Rugby make a substitution with Matthew Devine coming off.

69’

Substitution on

John Devine

Jersey Number 23 • Replacement 8

Connacht Rugby make a substitution with John Devine coming on.

69’

Substitution off

Sam Gilbert

Jersey Number 15 • Back 7

Connacht Rugby make a substitution with Sam Gilbert coming off.

69’

Penalty Goal - Kicked

Sam Gilbert

Jersey Number 15 • Back 7

The Connacht Rugby supporters go wild as Sam Gilbert successfully kicks the penalty goal.

69’

Substitution on

Ceano Everson

Jersey Number 21 • Replacement 6

Sharks make a substitution with Ceano Everson coming on.

69’

Substitution off

Ross Braude

Jersey Number 9 • Back 1

Sharks make a substitution with Ross Braude coming off.

65’

Substitution on

Siya Masuku

Jersey Number 22 • Replacement 7

Sharks make a substitution with Siya Masuku coming on.

65’

Substitution off

Hakeem Kunene

Jersey Number 15 • Back 7

Sharks make a substitution with Hakeem Kunene coming off.

63’

Substitution on

Ethan Bester

Jersey Number 16 • Replacement 1

Sharks sub Ethan Bester comes onto the field.

63’

Substitution off

Eduan Swart

Jersey Number 2 • Forward 2

Eduan Swart departs for Sharks.

63’

Substitution on

Niall Murray

Jersey Number 19 • Replacement 4

Connacht Rugby sub Niall Murray comes onto the field.

63’

Substitution off

Joe Joyce

Jersey Number 4 • Forward 4

Joe Joyce departs for Connacht Rugby.

63’

Conversion

Sam Gilbert

Jersey Number 15 • Back 7

The Connacht Rugby supporters go wild as Sam Gilbert successfully kicks the conversion.

62’

Try

Cathal Forde

Jersey Number 13 • Back 5

A stunning solo try from Cathal Forde

62’

Clean break

Cathal Forde

Jersey Number 13 • Back 5

The defensive line has been broken as Cathal Forde goes through the gap.

62’

Try assist

Paul Boyle

Jersey Number 20 • Replacement 5

Spellbinding play by Paul Boyle is finished off with a try.

59’

Penalty Goal - Hit Left Post

Jean Smith

Jersey Number 10 • Back 2

Jean Smith can consider themself unlucky as they see the ball hit the left upright and bounce away.

59’

Substitution on

Paul Boyle

Jersey Number 20 • Replacement 5

Paul Boyle comes on for Connacht Rugby.

59’

Substitution off

Josh Murphy

Jersey Number 6 • Forward 6

Josh Murphy leaves the field.

56’

Clean break

Sam Gilbert

Jersey Number 15 • Back 7

What a run here by Sam Gilbert as they get over the gainline!

56’

Substitution on

Dylan Tierney-Martin

Jersey Number 16 • Replacement 1

Dylan Tierney-Martin comes on for Connacht Rugby.

56’

Substitution off

Dave Heffernan

Jersey Number 2 • Forward 2

Dave Heffernan leaves the field.

56’

Substitution on

Vincent Tshituka

Jersey Number 20 • Replacement 5

Vincent Tshituka comes on for Sharks.

56’

Substitution off

Jannes Potgieter

Jersey Number 7 • Forward 7

Jannes Potgieter leaves the field.

56’

Substitution on

Corne Rahl

Jersey Number 19 • Replacement 4

Corne Rahl comes on for Sharks.

56’

Substitution off

Eben Etzebeth

Jersey Number 4 • Forward 4

Eben Etzebeth leaves the field.

55’

Substitution on

Mawande Mdanda

Jersey Number 18 • Replacement 3

Mawande Mdanda comes on for Sharks.

55’

Substitution off

Vincent Koch

Jersey Number 3 • Forward 3

Vincent Koch leaves the field.

55’

Substitution on

Lee-Marvin Mazibuko

Jersey Number 17 • Replacement 2

Lee-Marvin Mazibuko comes on for Sharks.

55’

Substitution off

Ox Nche

Jersey Number 1 • Forward 1

Ox Nche leaves the field.

55’

Conversion

Sam Gilbert

Jersey Number 15 • Back 7

Sam Gilbert has hooked the conversion to the right of the posts.

54’

Try

Shamus Hurley-Langton

Jersey Number 7 • Forward 7

Nothing was going to stop Shamus Hurley-Langton from scoring as they record the try for Connacht Rugby.

53’

Substitution on

Finlay Bealham

Jersey Number 18 • Replacement 3

Finlay Bealham comes on.

53’

Substitution off

Sam Illo

Jersey Number 3 • Forward 3

Sam Illo comes off.

53’

Substitution on

Peter Dooley

Jersey Number 17 • Replacement 2

Peter Dooley comes on.

53’

Substitution off

Billy Bohan

Jersey Number 1 • Forward 1

Billy Bohan comes off.

52’

Clean break

Matthew Devine

Jersey Number 9 • Back 1

What a run here by Matthew Devine as they get over the gainline!

47’

Substitution on

Ethan Hooker

Jersey Number 23 • Replacement 8

Sharks decide to make a substitution, with Ethan Hooker getting some game time.

47’

Substitution off

Makazole Mapimpi

Jersey Number 11 • Back 3

Sharks decide to make a substitution, with Makazole Mapimpi being replaced.

47’

Conversion

Sam Gilbert

Jersey Number 15 • Back 7

Sam Gilbert adds the two points for Connacht Rugby.

46’

Try

Cathal Forde

Jersey Number 13 • Back 5

The defence are desperately trying to hold out here but it was to no avail as Cathal Forde dots the ball down from close range.

46’

Try assist

Matthew Devine

Jersey Number 9 • Back 1

Spellbinding play by Matthew Devine is finished off with a try.

44’

Clean break

Shane Jennings

Jersey Number 14 • Back 6

Shane Jennings makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

40’

Start of second half

The second half kicks off.

40’

End of first half

The half-time whistle blows and both teams head for the dressing rooms.

33’

Penalty Goal - Kicked

Jean Smith

Jersey Number 10 • Back 2

The Sharks supporters go wild as Jean Smith successfully kicks the penalty goal.

31’

Penalty Goal - Kicked

Jean Smith

Jersey Number 10 • Back 2

The Sharks supporters go wild as Jean Smith successfully kicks the penalty goal.

27’

Clean break

Jean Smith

Jersey Number 10 • Back 2

Trouble here as Jean Smith breaches the defence.

22’

Conversion

Sam Gilbert

Jersey Number 15 • Back 7

Sam Gilbert makes no mistake with that conversion attempt.

21’

Try

Chay Mullins

Jersey Number 11 • Back 3

A wonderful passing move by Connacht Rugby is finished off by Chay Mullins

21’

Try assist

Shamus Hurley-Langton

Jersey Number 7 • Forward 7

That's a great try assist by Shamus Hurley-Langton.

21’

Clean break

Shamus Hurley-Langton

Jersey Number 7 • Forward 7

This is dangerous for the defence as Shamus Hurley-Langton bursts through to advance the Connacht Rugby attack.

21’

Clean break

Dave Heffernan

Jersey Number 2 • Forward 2

This is dangerous for the defence as Dave Heffernan bursts through to advance the Connacht Rugby attack.

20’

Penalty Goal - Kicked

Jean Smith

Jersey Number 10 • Back 2

Jean Smith adds the points for Sharks.

17’

Substitution on

Sean Naughton

Jersey Number 22 • Replacement 7

Connacht Rugby make a substitution with Sean Naughton coming on.

17’

Substitution off

Josh Ioane

Jersey Number 10 • Back 2

Connacht Rugby make a substitution with Josh Ioane coming off.

10’

Clean break

Edwill van der Merwe

Jersey Number 14 • Back 6

A gap opened in the defence and Edwill van der Merwe took full advantage.

5’

Penalty Goal - Kicked

Jean Smith

Jersey Number 10 • Back 2

Jean Smith kicks the penalty.

0’

Start of first half

We are underway as the referee Sam Grove-White blows their whistle.

See All

Current Standings

POS

Team

Pts

Connacht

108

See Full Table

Top Performers

Ball Carries

M. Potgieter

Ball Carries: 15

Tackles

T. Mavesere

Tackles: 18

Points

J. Smith

Points: 12

Insights

EPCR Challenge Cup

Points per match

4212

Tries per match

Penalties Conceded per match

Match Information

The Sportsground, TBC

EPCR Challenge Cup