Connacht 19-7 Worcester

Connacht (8) 19
Tries: Muldoon, Duffy Pens: Keatley 2 Drop-goal: Keatley
Worcester (7) 7
Try: Pennell Con: Jones

Connacht's Frank Murphy tries to break away from Graham Kitchener

Connacht took another step towards the Amlin European Challenge Cup quarter-finals with Friday night's win over an under-strength Worcester in Galway.

Chris Pennell's try helped Worcester take a 7-0 lead but an Ian Keatley penalty and John Muldoon touchdown put Connacht ahead by the interval.

Gavan Duffy's 49th-minute try extended Connacht's lead and Keatley added six further points before the finish.

Connacht now head Montpellier by seven points at the top of the table.

But the French side should close the gap to two with a bonus-point win at Olympus Madrid on Saturday.

Connacht's win completed a double over the Guinness Premiership side after the Irish province's 26-21 win at Worcester last weekend.

That defeat effectively ended Worcester's hopes of qualification - and coach Mike Ruddock responded by throwing in several youngsters and players in need of matches for Friday's match at the Sportsground.

Worcester are now 10 points adrift of Connacht with two pool matches remaining.

Despite the Irish province's strong position, they will probably need to beat Montpellier during the final round of group games to ensure they finish top of the pool.

Connacht have already defeated Montpellier 22-19 in France.

Warriors director of rugby Mike Ruddock told BBC Hereford and Worcester:

"It was a much-changed team but I thought the first 30 minutes were very good.

"We carried the ball to them scored a great try and played some good rugby. But we dropped our standards and they scored a try.

"I am convinced their forward was in touch when he scored that.

"But I don't want that to sound like sour grapes. Connacht thoroughly deserved their win and I wish them all the best in the knock-out stages.

"We had a lot of young lads out there and players coming back from injury. And some of them have made me think about our selections for next week."

Connacht: Duffy; Bibo, Ta'auso, Wynne, Carr; Keatley, F Murphy; Wilkinson, Cronin, Morris, McCarthy, Upton, Muldoon, Ofisa, Naoupu.
Replacements: Nathan for Bibo (54), Hagan for Morris (71), Swift for Naoupu (76).
Not Used: Flavin, Loughney, McComish, Campbell, Nikora.

Worcester: Pennell; Garvey, Grove, MacRae, Gear; Jones, Arr; A Black, Fortey, Sourgens, Kitchener, Bowley, Collins, Abbott, Cox.
Replacements: Rasmussen for Grove (78), Frost for Arr (78), Taumoepeau for Sourgens (43), Wood for Abbott (46).
Not Used: Page, Gilding, Lyons, King.

Referee: Pascal Gauzere (France)