Gloucester Rugby earn memorable win over Connacht

Gloucester Rugby will contest a playoff final for a place in the European Cup next season after a pulsating win over Connacht.

The hosts got off to a rapid start as Ross Moriarty powered his way over the try line in the first minute off the back of a driving maul.

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However, Jack Carty landed a penalty from inside the 22 and John Cooney scored a try two minutes later to put the Irish side ahead.

Greg Laidlaw brought the teams level with a penalty, before Charlie Sharples crossed in the corner to give the home side a five-point lead.

However, Connacht responded immediately in an end-to-end first half as Carty dodged a tackle and dived over the line to give them a half-time advantage.

Laidlaw and Carty exchanged penalties after the break, but Connacht pulled clear again through winger Matt Healy, who dived over deep in the corner.

Carty added another penalty late on, but Bill Meakes crashed over in the final minute to give his side hope and Laidlaw slotted over the conversion to take the game to extra time.

James Hook put Gloucester ahead with a penalty in the 12th minute, but Healy came in off the left flank, collected a pass and scored a try under the posts.

However, Gloucester hit back in style as Darren Dawidiuk powered over off the back of a driving maul, before Jonny May was played in by Billy Twelvetrees to score another just two minutes later and secure the win.