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2013–14 Connacht Rugby season

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2013–14 Connacht Rugby season
Ground(s)Galway Sportsgrounds
(Capacity: 7,800)
Coach(es)Pat Lam
Captain(s)September–November[1]
Gavin Duffy
John Muldoon
Michael Swift
December–May[2]
Craig Clarke
Most appearancesKieran Marmion
Dan Parks (both 28)
Top scorerDan Parks (157)
Most triesKieran Marmion (7)
Pro12
Heineken Cup
10th
Pool stage (3rd)
1st kit
2nd kit
3rd kit

The 2013–14 Connacht Rugby season was the team's thirteenth season competing in the Pro12 as well as their third season to compete in the Heineken Cup. Following the departure of Eric Elwood, the 2013–14 season saw Pat Lam take charge of the team as head coach.

Review

[edit]

Background

[edit]

The previous season's head coach Eric Elwood departed Connacht at the end of his third year in charge, having announced his intention to leave his post in October 2012.[3] His replacement was announced in January 2013, with the New Zealand born former Samoa international Pat Lam appointed to coach the team.[4] Lam had previously served as head coach to Super Rugby side the Auckland Blues, coaching them in the 2009 and 2010 seasons.[citation needed]

It was announced in August 2013 that the captaincy for the 2013–14 season would be split between Gavin Duffy, John Muldoon (rugby union, born 1982) and the team's most capped player, Michael Swift. This followed changes between Duffy and Muldoon as captain in previous seasons.[1]

The team qualified for their third Heineken Cup in a row in 2013–14, again thanks to Leinster, who had also been the reason for Connacht's entry into the previous two tournaments. The eastern province's victory in the 2012–13 European Challenge Cup granted Connacht a berth, and they were drawn into pool 3 with Saracens, Toulouse, and Zebre.[citation needed]

Playing season

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Lam's first competitive game in charge was in the 2013–14 Pro12, a 25–16 home win over Zebre. After this game Connacht failed to win their next five games, though they ran Saracens close in Galway, in the first Heineken Cup game of the season.[5] Connacht eventually broke their losing streak with a win in the Heineken Cup, again coming against Zebre, this time in the Stadio XXV Aprile. In their next match, Connacht came close to beating Leinster in Dublin for the first time since 2002, but conceded a late penalty try to lose 16–13.[6]

The team's patchy form continued after the derby with Leinster, and Connacht lost three more games in the Pro12. After a 43–10 defeat to Edinburgh in Murrayfield, former captain of the Super Rugby side the Chiefs, Craig Clarke, was made Connacht's team captain.[2] On 8 December 2013, however, Connacht defied their form and produced one of the biggest shocks in the history of the Heineken Cup, when they defeated Toulouse in the pool stages in the Stade Ernest-Wallon.[7][8][9]

Connacht were beaten by Toulouse in the return game at the Sportsground, but beat Zebre in the following game to go into the final round of matches with a slim chance of progressing to the quarter-finals. That game however, saw them beaten comfortably by Saracens on a final score of 64–6, with English side running in a record 11 tries.[10] In the league Connacht continued to tussle with Zebre at the foot of the table, before going on a four match winning streak from 15 February to 23 March, earning three try bonus points. This was the team's longest run of wins in 11 years.[11] Following this run of form though, Connacht failed to win another match in the league, finishing in tenth place and level on points with Newport Gwent Dragons in ninth.

Coaching and Management Staff

[edit]

[12]

Position Name Nationality
Head Coach Pat Lam[13]  Samoa[a]
Assistant Coach Dan McFarland[13]  England
Skills Coach Dave Ellis[13]  New Zealand
Chief Executive vacant
Team Manager Tim Allnut[13]  New Zealand
Academy Manager/
Eagles Head Coach
Nigel Carolan[13]  Ireland
Resource Coach(es) Cory Browne[13]
Jimmy Duffy[13]
 New Zealand
 Ireland
Head of Strength and
Conditioning
Tom McLaughlin[13]  England
Performance Analyst Conor McPhillips[13]  Ireland
Head Physio Gavin Malouf[13]  Australia

Senior Playing Squad

[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.

Player Position Union
Jason Harris-Wright Hooker Ireland Ireland
Dave Heffernan Hooker Ireland Ireland
Seán Henry Hooker Ireland Ireland
James Rael Hooker Ireland Ireland
Rodney Ah You* Prop New Zealand New Zealand
Denis Buckley Prop Ireland Ireland
JP Cooney Prop Ireland Ireland
Ronan Loughney Prop Ireland Ireland
Nathan White Prop New Zealand New Zealand
Brett Wilkinson Prop Ireland Ireland
Andrew Browne Lock Ireland Ireland
Craig Clarke (c) Lock New Zealand New Zealand
Mick Kearney Lock Ireland Ireland
Aly Muldowney* Lock England England
David Nolan Lock Ireland Ireland
Michael Swift* Lock England England
Danny Qualter Lock Ireland Ireland
Aaron Conneely Flanker Ireland Ireland
Mata Fafita* Flanker Tonga Tonga
Willie Faloon Flanker Ireland Ireland
Jake Heenan Flanker New Zealand New Zealand
John Muldoon Flanker Ireland Ireland
Eoin McKeon Number 8 Ireland Ireland
George Naoupu Number 8 New Zealand New Zealand
Player Position Union
Kieran Marmion Scrum-half Ireland Ireland
Frank Murphy Scrum-half Ireland Ireland
Paul O'Donohoe Scrum-half Ireland Ireland
Miah Nikora* Fly-half New Zealand New Zealand
Dan Parks Fly-half Scotland Scotland
Craig Ronaldson Fly-half Ireland Ireland
Eoin Griffin Centre Ireland Ireland
Robbie Henshaw Centre Ireland Ireland
Dave McSharry Centre Ireland Ireland
Brian Murphy Centre Ireland Ireland
Kyle Tonetti Centre Ireland Ireland
Fionn Carr Wing Ireland Ireland
Matt Healy Wing Ireland Ireland
Tiernan O'Halloran Wing Ireland Ireland
Danie Poolman Wing South Africa South Africa
Gavin Duffy Fullback Ireland Ireland
James So'oialo Fullback Samoa Samoa
  • Players qualified to play for Ireland on dual nationality or residency grounds*.
  • Senior 15's internationally capped players in bold.

Academy squad

[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.

Player Position Union
Finlay Bealham Prop Ireland Ireland year 2
Peter Reilly Prop Ireland Ireland year 2
Jamie Dever Prop Ireland Ireland year 2
Saba Meunargia Prop Ireland Ireland year 1
Jacob Walshe Prop Ireland Ireland year 1
Ultan Dillane Lock Ireland Ireland year 2
Conor Kindregan Lock Ireland Ireland year 1
Seán O'Brien Lock Ireland Ireland year 1
James Connolly Flanker Ireland Ireland year 1
Rory Moloney Flanker Ireland Ireland year 1
Eoghan Masterson Number 8 Scotland Scotland year 1
Player Position Union
Marcus Walsh Scrum-half Ireland Ireland year 2
Caolin Blade Scrum-half Ireland Ireland year 1
Jack Carty Fly-half Ireland Ireland year 3
Conor Finn Centre Ireland Ireland year 3
Tadhg Leader Centre Ireland Ireland year 3
Rory Parata Centre Ireland Ireland year 1
Shane Layden Wing Ireland Ireland year 3
Steve McCauley Wing England England year 2
Darragh Leader Fullback Ireland Ireland year 2
David Panter Fullback Ireland Ireland year 1

Preseason transfers

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Playing kit

[edit]

The Connacht team and support staff kit supplier for the season was Australian manufacturer BLK sport, who announced a comprehensive four-year agreement to supply the full range of apparel for all of Connacht Rugby's representative teams and support staff in 2013.[22] They took the place of previous supplier RugbyTech.

Mazda Ireland continued as the main shirt sponsors, as part of a deal signed with Connacht to run from 2012 to 2014 as part of major sponsorship deal to facilitate the development of both brands.[23]

2013–14 Pro12

[edit]
Pro12 Table watch · edit · discuss
Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points For Points Against Points Difference Tries For Tries Against Try Bonus Losing Bonus Points
1 Ireland Leinster (CH) 22 17 1 4 554 352 +202 57 30 8 4 82
2 Scotland Glasgow Warriors (RU) 22 18 0 4 484 309 +175 53 22 4 3 79
3 Ireland Munster (SF) 22 16 0 6 538 339 +199 56 27 7 3 74
4 Ireland Ulster (SF) 22 15 0 7 470 319 +151 45 26 6 4 70
5 Wales Ospreys 22 13 1 8 571 388 +183 59 32 6 6 66
6 Wales Scarlets 22 11 1 10 435 438 −3 43 45 3 6 55
7 Wales Cardiff Blues 22 8 1 13 425 538 −113 32 55 1 6 41
8 Scotland Edinburgh 22 7 0 15 397 526 −129 38 57 2 8 38
9 Wales Newport Gwent Dragons 22 7 1 14 392 492 −100 34 46 0 5 35
10 Ireland Connacht 22 6 0 16 371 509 −138 42 54 4 7 35
11 Italy Benetton Treviso 22 5 1 16 376 591 −215 31 72 1 7 30
12 Italy Zebre 22 5 2 15 347 559 −212 35 59 0 5 29

If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:[24]

  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 (rows 1 to 4) are play-off places, and earn a place in the European Rugby Champions Cup. Blue background indicates teams outside the play-off places, that earn a place in the European Rugby Champions Cup. Plain background indicates teams that earn a place in the European Rugby Challenge Cup.

European Rugby Champions/Challenge Cup qualification: The top team from each country, plus the three highest-placed teams apart from those, will qualify for the European Rugby Champions Cup. The remaining teams qualify for the European Rugby Challenge Cup. Updated 19 May 2014. Source: RaboDirect PRO12

The weekend dates for the 2013–14 season were announced on 19 July 2013. [25] All times are local.[26]

7 September 2013
17:00
Connacht Ireland25–16Italy Zebre
Try: White 4' m
Healy 29' c
Carr 75' c
Con: Parks (2/3)
Pen: Parks (2/4) 37', 62'
ReportTry: Manici 80' c
Con: Orquera (1/1)
Pen: Orquera (3/3) 7', 46', 60'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 4,084
Referee: Rhys Thomas (WRU)

13 September 2013
19:05
Cardiff Blues Wales21–10Ireland Connacht
Pen: Patchell (6/9) 20', 26', 52', 67', 74', 78'
Drop: Patchell (1/1) 33'
ReportTry: Healy 12' c
Con: Parks (1/1)
Pen: Parks (1/3) 40'
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 6,874
Referee: Claudio Blessano (FIR)

21 September 2013
18:45
Connacht Ireland7–18Ireland Ulster
Try: Parks 10' c
Con: Parks (1/1)
ReportTry: Allen 15' m
Jackson 57' c
Con: Jackson (1/2)
Pen: Jackson (2/4) 55', 64'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 5,485
Referee: John Lacey (IRFU)

28 September 2013
17:00
Connacht Ireland26–43Wales Ospreys (1 BP)
Try: Poolman 55' c
Marmion 62' c
Con: Parks (2/2)
Pen: Ronaldson (4/5) 4', 26', 32', 37'
ReportTry: Biggar 7' c
Fussell 15' c
Walker 29' m
Tebaldi 59' c
Hassler 71' c
A. W. Jones 77' c
Con: Biggar (5/6)
Pen: Biggar (1/1) 35'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 3,888
Referee: Andrew McMenemy (SRU)

4 October 2013
20:30
Benetton Treviso Italy23–3Ireland Connacht
Try: Zanni 52' c
Morisi 79' c
Con: Botes (2/2)
Pen: Di Bernardo (3/3) 8', 34', 40'
ReportPen: Parks (1/2) 51'
Stadio Comunale di Monigo
Attendance: 3,948
Referee: Neil Hennessy (WRU)

26 October 2013
18:45
Leinster Ireland16–13Ireland Connacht (1 BP)
Try: penalty try 77' c
Con: Madigan (1/1)
Pen: Madigan (3/4) 10', 29', 40'
ReportTry: Marmion 13' c
Con: Parks (1/1)
Pen: Parks (2/3) 2', 7'
RDS Arena
Attendance: 16,780
Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU)

2 November 2013
17:00
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland12–19Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Pen: Parks (2/4) 15', 51'
Ronaldson (2/3) 61', 69'
ReportTry: van der Merwe 5' c
Con: Weir (1/1)
Pen: Weir (4/4) 24', 33', 55', 79'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 4,185
Referee: Neil Paterson (SRU)

23 November 2013
17:00
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland21–24Wales Scarlets
Try: Healy 56' c
Harris-Wright 67' m
Con: Ronaldson (1/1)
Pen: Ronaldson (3/4) 3', 9', 34'
ReportTry: Climo 38' c
Myhill 47' c
G. Davies 52' c
Con: A. Thomas (3/3)
Pen: A. Thomas (1/1) 21'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 4,172
Referee: Matteo Liperini (FIR)

29 November 2013
19:45
(1 BP) Edinburgh Scotland43–10Ireland Connacht
Try: Fife 40' c
du Preez 73' c
De Luca 77' c
Nel 79' c
Con: Laidlaw (4/4)
Pen: Laidlaw (5/5) 9', 20', 29', 51', 59'
ReportTry: Henshaw 15' c
Con: Parks (1/1)
Drop: Parks (1/1) 11'
Murrayfield Stadium
Attendance: 3,515
Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU)

21 December 2013
17:00
Connacht Ireland14–11Wales Newport Gwent Dragons (1 BP)
Try: Carr 75' m
Pen: Parks (2/3) 33', 44'
Drop: Parks (1/1) 80'
ReportTry: D. Evans 8' m
Pen: Tovey (2/3) 16', 51'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 4,033
Referee: Alain Rolland (IRFU)

27 December 2013
19:15
Munster Ireland22–16Ireland Connacht (1 BP)
Try: Hanrahan 20' c
Con: Hanrahan (1/1)
Pen: Hanrahan (5/5) 9', 29', 44', 50', 76'
ReportTry: Heffernan 80' c
Con: Parks (1/1)
Pen: Parks (3/3) 13', 16', 61'
Thomond Park
Attendance: 18,870
Referee: Dudley Phillips (IRFU)

4 January 2014
19:15
Connacht Ireland8–16Ireland Leinster
Try: Carr 22' m
Pen: Carty (1/1) 40'
ReportTry: D'Arcy 73' c
Con: Gopperth (1/1)
Pen: Madigan (1/3) 36'
Gopperth (2/2) 57', 63'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 7,210
Referee: George Clancy (IRFU)

9 February 2014
14:00
Glasgow Warriors Scotland8–6Ireland Connacht (1 BP)
Try: Bennett 18' m
Pen: Jackson (1/4) 43'
ReportPen: Ronaldson (2/5) 8', 40'
Scotstoun Stadium
Attendance: 3,904
Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU)

15 February 2014
17:00
Connacht Ireland11–7Scotland Edinburgh (1 BP)
Try: Swift 47' m
Pen: Ronaldson (1/4) 20'
Parks (1/1) 68'
ReportTry: Grant 7' c
Con: Bezuidenhout (1/1)
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 4,038
Referee: Claudio Blessano (FIR)

23 February 2014
17:30
Zebre Italy19–27Ireland Connacht (1 BP)
Try: Venditti 58' c
Vunisa 66' m
van Schalkwyk 78' c
Con: Nathan (1/2)
Chillon (1/1)
ReportTry: Ah You 5' m
Marmion 26' c
penalty try 37' c
Griffin 56' m
Con: Parks (2/4)
Pen: Parks (1/1) 3'
Stadio XXV Aprile
Attendance: 1,265
Referee: Ian Davies (WRU)

1 March 2014
17:00
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland38–6Italy Benetton Treviso
Try: Carr 5' c
Muldoon (2) 13' c, 63' c
Marmion 33' c
McKeon 75' c
Con: Parks (4/4)
Nikora (1/1)
Pen: Parks (1/1) 23'
ReportPen: Berquist (2/3) 9', 21'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 3,850
Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU)

23 March 2014
15:05
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales8–24Ireland Connacht (1 BP)
Try: Prydie 69' m
Pen: Tovey (1/2) 2'
ReportTry: Muldoon (2) 17' c, 67' m
Ah You 23' c
Swift 79' m
Con: Parks (2/2)
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 5,474
Referee: George Clancy (IRFU)

30 March 2014
14:05
(1 BP) Scarlets Wales32–30Ireland Connacht (2 BP)
Try: J. Davies 2' c
G. Davies 49' c
Turnbull 52' m
Maule 79' c
Con: Priestland (3/4)
Pen: Priestland (2/5) 24', 34'
ReportTry: Marmion 55' m
Carr 72' c
Henshaw 75' m
McKeon 80' c
Con: Nikora (2/3)
Pen: Parks (2/2) 6', 22'
Parc y Scarlets
Attendance: 6,111
Referee: Neil Paterson (SRU)

11 April 2014
19:05
(1 BP) Ulster Ireland58–12Ireland Connacht
Try: P. Marshall (2) 5' m, 25' c
Trimble (3) 16' m, 42' c, 59' c
Bowe 23' c
L. Marshall 48' c
Gilroy 68' c
Con: Jackson (5/7)
McKinney (1/1)
Pen: Jackson (2/2) 12', 40'
ReportTry: McSharry 8' m
Leader 62' c
Con: Nikora (1/1)
Ravenhill Stadium
Attendance: 13,948
Referee: Ian Davies (WRU)

19 April 2014
18:15
Connacht Ireland23–32Ireland Munster (1 BP)
Try: Healy 20' m
McKeon 53' m
Poolman 78' c
Con: Parks (1/1)
Pen: Nikora (2/2) 15', 63'
ReportTry: Conway 17' c
van den Heever 34' c
D. Hurley 38' c
Butler 72' m
Con: Keatley (3/4)
Pen: Keatley (2/2) 26', 30'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 6,227
Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR)

3 May 2014
17:00
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland15–22Wales Cardiff Blues
Try: Healy 26' c
Henshaw 45' m
Con: Nikora (1/2)
Pen: Nikora (1/1) 22'
ReportTry: penalty try 56' c
Jones 59' c
Fish 69' m
Con: G. Davies (2/2)
Pen: G. Davies (1/1) 40'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 5,168
Referee: Neil Paterson (SRU)

10 May 2014
18:30
(1 BP) Ospreys Wales45–20Ireland Connacht
Try: Hassler 12' c
Beck (2) 27' c, 45' c
A. W. Jones 36' c
N. Smith 60' c
Baker 68' c
Con: Biggar (6/6)
Pen: Biggar (1/1) 34'
ReportTry: Leader 17' m
Buckley 40' c
Gilsenan 63' m
Con: Nikora (1/3)
Pen: Nikora (1/1) 4'
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 6,403
Referee: Andrew McMenemy (SRU)

2013–14 Heineken Cup

[edit]

Pool 3

Team P W D L PF PA Diff TF TA TB LB Pts
France Toulouse (5) 6 5 0 1 143 63 +80 16 4 2 1 23
England Saracens (8) 6 4 0 2 217 74 +143 29 5 3 1 20
Ireland Connacht 6 3 0 3 101 147 −46 7 20 0 1 13
Italy Zebre 6 0 0 6 33 210 −177 2 25 0 0 0
Source : www.ercrugby.com
Points breakdown:
*4 points for a win
*2 points for a draw
*1 bonus point for a loss by seven points or less
*1 bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match
11 October 2013
20:00
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland17–23England Saracens
Try: Marmion 17' c
Poolman 30' c
Con: Parks (2/2)
Pen: Parks (1/2) 7'
ReportTry: Wyles 5' c
Ashton 8' c
Con: Farrell (2/2)
Pen: Farrell (3/3) 25', 52', 74'
The Sportsground
Attendance: 7,546
Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (FFR)

19 October 2013
14:35
Zebre Italy6–33Ireland Connacht
Pen: Orquera (2/2) 5', 48'ReportTry: Naoupu 29' c
Fafita 70' m
Con: Parks (1/2)
Pen: Parks (7/7) 1', 7', 34', 37', 58', 60', 64'
Stadio XXV Aprile
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Ian Davies (WRU)

8 December 2013
16:00
(1 BP) Toulouse France14–16Ireland Connacht
Try: Barraque 39' c
Dusautoir 64' c
Con: Barraque (1/1)
Beauxis (1/1)
ReportTry: Marmion 47' c
Con: Parks (1/1)
Pen: Parks (2/3) 12', 45'
Drop: Parks (1/2) 15'
Stade Ernest-Wallon
Attendance: 16,742
Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR)

14 December 2013
18:00
Connacht Ireland9–37France Toulouse (1 BP)
Pen: Parks (1/2) 2'
Drop: Parks (2/2) 13', 32'
ReportTry: Médard (2) 11' c, 26' m
Tolofua 36' c
Picamoles 54' m
Fickou 78' c
Con: Beauxis (3/5)
Pen: Beauxis (2/4) 4', 72'
The Sportsground
Attendance: 7,661
Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU)

11 January 2014
15:40
Connacht Ireland20–3Italy Zebre
Try: Healy 34' c
Henshaw 42' c
Con: Carty (2/2)
Pen: Carty (2/3) 24', 29'
ReportPen: Orquera (1/2) 15'
The Sportsground
Attendance: 5,217
Referee: Neil Paterson (SRU)

18 January 2014
13:35
(1 BP) Saracens England64–6Ireland Connacht
Try: Ashton (2) 10' m, 80' c
Strettle (3) 26' m, 41' m, 76' m
Brits 40' m
Goode 49' m
Kruis 57' c
Wyles 65' m
Wray 68' c
Johnston 71' m
Con: Hodgson (3/10)
Pen: Hodgson (1/2) 22'
ReportPen: Parks (2/2) 5', 20'
Allianz Park
Attendance: 9,614
Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU)

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ New Zealand-born and qualified for Samoa, Lam has represented both countries, but last played rugby for Samoa.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Connacht name Club Captains". RaboDirectPro12. 27 August 2013. Archived from the original on 5 January 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Former Chiefs Captain Craig Clarke to Retire from Rugby". allblacks.com. 4 June 2014. Retrieved 24 October 2020.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ "Eric Elwood departure from Connacht confirmed". RTÉ Sport. 3 October 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
  4. ^ "Lam Appointed As Connacht Head Coach". Irish Rugby. 12 January 2013.
  5. ^ "Saracens forced to fight tooth and nail in fight against Connacht". Irish Independent. 11 October 2013.
  6. ^ "Leinster edge past unlucky Connacht". RTÉ Sport. 27 October 2013.
  7. ^ "Toulouse 14 Connacht 16". Daily Telegraph. London. 8 December 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  8. ^ "Lam basks in glow of Connacht's finest hour". Irish Independent. 8 December 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  9. ^ "Connacht diehards shock French aristocrats". Irish Examiner. 8 December 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  10. ^ "Report: Record try haul for rampant Sarries". ERC. 18 January 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  11. ^ "Connacht slay Dragons at Rodney Parade for bonus point win". The Score. 23 March 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  12. ^ "Connacht Rugby | Homepage". Connacht Rugby.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Management Team". Connacht Rugby. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  14. ^ "So'oialo completes squad for 2013/14". connachtrugby.ie. Archived from the original on 15 June 2013.
  15. ^ "James So'oailo released by Connacht on compassionate grounds". Irish Independent. 26 October 2013.
  16. ^ "Connacht Rugby Official Website | Connacht Rugby Official Website". Archived from the original on 29 December 2010. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  17. ^ "Reynecke word 'n Cheetah". SupaRugby (in Afrikaans). 20 June 2013. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  18. ^ "Willie bly 'n Cheetah". Beeld (in Afrikaans). Media24. 7 July 2013. Archived from the original on 16 July 2013. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  19. ^ "Heyneke sal Lappies, Siya in Kaap dophou". Die Burger (in Afrikaans). Media24. 25 June 2013. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  20. ^ "Irish connections aplenty as New York gets its first professional rugby club". The42. 25 February 2018. Retrieved 13 September 2018. Now 35-year-old Gannon finished his second spell with Connacht in 2013 and contacted his cousin, AJ MacGinty, who was studying, coaching and playing rugby at Life University in Atlanta at the time. Having listened to MacGinty's rave reviews of the set-up, Gannon moved to 'Life U' in early 2014
  21. ^ "So'oialo finally follows family line in Wellington". Stuff.co.nz. 22 August 2014. Retrieved 13 September 2020. When So'oialo returned early from Connacht in Ireland last year for personal reasons he led Tawa to the club's first Jubilee Cup, but still the door to the Lions remained firmly closed.
  22. ^ "Connacht strike new deal with Australian kit suppliers". Galway Advertiser. 20 June 2013.
  23. ^ "Connacht seal lucrative Mazda deal". Irish Independent. 3 August 2011.
  24. ^ Competition Rule 3.5 "Summary of Key Rules". Pro12. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  25. ^ "RaboDirect PRO12 Fixtures for 2013/14 Season Announced". Pro12. 19 July 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
  26. ^ "RaboDirect PRO12 Fixtures & Results". Pro12. Celtic Rugby. Retrieved 1 August 2012.