Connacht were left to rue Sean Jansen’s 21st-minute red card as they fell to a 28-14 defeat to the Vodacom Bulls in their BKT United Rugby Championship clash at Dexcom Stadium.
Ireland wing Mack Hansen is ready to make his return from injury on Saturday after over eight months on the sidelines.
The talented midfielder has gone from idolising powerhouse Aki to playing alongside him.
Retiring full-back Tiernan O’Halloran missed out on a winning send-off in his native Galway, with Connacht’s top-eight hopes now hanging by a thread.
Munster are within reach of a home quarter-final in the BKT United Rugby Championship following a runaway 47-12 derby win over Connacht at Thomond Park.
The spectre of Johnny Sexton will hang over the Ireland No 10 jersey for some time but a new era brings fresh competition
JJ Hanrahan’s right boot ensured Connacht ended a run of five defeats in all competitions as injury-ravaged Munster went down
Ulster won the opening festive Irish interprovincial derby by the narrowest of margins over Connacht, triumphing 20-19 at a weather-hit Kingspan Stadium.