Connacht 27

Portugal 11

An experimental Connacht side enjoyed afour tries to one victory over Portugal at the Sportsground on Sunday evening.

Portugal defended well in the openinghalf but John O’Brien, on his debut, and Troy Nathan crossed for tries for a17-3 interval lead.

Earlier Andy Dunne and Portugal out-halfPedro Cabral exchanged penalties.

Portugal winger Goncalo Foro got in fora very good try after 49 minutes.

However Connacht completed a goodworkout, which marked the return from long-term injury of Tim Donnelly andConor O’Loughlin, with tries from Brett Wilkinson and Mel Deane.

Connacht:

Tries: O’Brien, Nathan, Wilkinson, Deane

Cons: Dunne (2)

Pen: Dunne

Portugal:

Try: Foro

Pens: Cabral (2)

Connacht: J O’Brien; T Nathan, J Hearty,A Wynne, D Riordan; A Dunne, K Campbell; J Lyne, A Flavin, R Morris; D Nolan, DGannon; M McCarthy, R Ofisa, C Rigney.

Replacements: R Loughney for Morris, 32mins; M Deane for Wynne, half-time; T Donnelly for Riordan, 54 mins;  C O’Loughlin for Campbell, 57 mins; JMerrigan for Flavin, 57 mins; B Wilkinson for Lyne, 57 mins; Riordan forNathan, 68 mins; C Muldoon for Nolan, 78 mins.

Portugal: V Gaspar; A Esteves, D Gama, MLeal, G Foro; P Cabral, J Pinto; J Junior, J Correia, J Severino; G Silvan, V Jorge;J Bardi, S Palha, E Acosta.

Replacements: A Sosa for Palha, 15 mins;L Balague for Sosa, 57 mins; Y Ricardo for Leal, 65 mins; N Taful for Correia,68 mins; L Kadosh for Pinto, 75 mins.

Referee: S McDowell.