Rugby: CONNACHT LET CAT OUT

SCORING four tries away from home in Europe would normally be cause for celebration - but it was scant consolation for Connacht.

They still lost 28-24 to Sicilian minnows Amatori Catania - and with it a direct route into the Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

Winger Ted Robinson's first-minute try and No.8 Colm Rigney's score put them 12-0 up after 11 minutes. But they were 13-12 behind at the break.

Catania winger Mauro Commuzzi ran in the first of his two tries, Scot Barry Irving added the rest with the boot and centre Andrea Romagnol put the Italians 20-12 ahead with a 52nd-minute try.

Connacht flanker Matt Lacey got the first of his two tries to keep their hopes alive but in between Commuzzi crossed for Catania's third try.

Connacht coach Michael Bradley said: "We knew they would present a serious challenge and they did. They played some excellent rugby."

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