Stormers fight back to beat Connacht 22-15 in Galway opener

The Stormers came from behind to beat Connacht 22-15 in Galway in the opening round of the United Rugby Championship.

The South African visitors scored three second-half tries at Dexcom Stadium on 25 September to overturn a half-time deficit, in a fixture listed for a 19:45 kick-off Connacht Rugby BBC Sport.

Connacht led 12-10 at the break. Mack Hansen and Josh Ioane scored the home side's tries, each try worth five points for grounding the ball over the opposition line. The match also marked Hansen's comeback for the province after a long layoff with a foot injury.

Warrick Gelant was among the Stormers' try-scorers, alongside Sazi Sandi, Vernon Paulo and Ezekiel Ngobeni. Sandi's score was the turning point. It put the Stormers two points clear with 25 minutes left.

Paulo and Ngobeni then crossed late to seal the win. Connacht pushed hard in the closing stages. They could not find another score.

For fans new to the competition, the URC is the cross-border league featuring clubs and provinces from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy and South Africa. An opening-night defeat leaves Connacht chasing their first points. The Stormers head home with an away win banked.