Connacht beat Saracens in high scoring Champions Cup opener in Galway

Connacht defeated Saracens 45 to 36 in their opening European Champions Cup pool match in Galway on Saturday. According to the Irish Examiner, thejournal.ie, and BBC Sport, the Irish province scored seven tries as they returned to top flight European competition. [1][2][4]

BBC Sport and thejournal.ie reported that Connacht came back from 12 points down early in the match to secure the victory. The Irish Examiner and BBC Sport both noted that Ciarán Frawley scored two tries in a man of the match display during his home debut for the team. [1][2][4]

Connacht captain Cian Prendergast also scored two tries, while Hugh Forde, Shamus Hurley-Langton, and Caolin Blade added one each, according to BBC Sport. Saracens scored six tries in response, including two from Sione Vaenuku. [4]

The Irish Times reported before the match that Connacht had lost all previous encounters against Saracens. The Irish Examiner noted that Stuart Lancaster manages the Connacht side, which had spent four years competing in the Challenge Cup prior to this season. [1][2][3]