Ospreys soar to top of league

But the Welsh region were buoyed by the return of Lions scrum-half Mike Phillips, who came on at half-time for his first rugby since tearing ankle ligaments last October.

Dan Biggar, released for the match by the Wales squad, provided 14 points with a try and three penalties as the Ospreys just squeezed home.

After an exchange of penalties from Biggar and Ian Keatley, Ospreys full-back Gareth Owen sped through two men and then rounded the full-back for a spectacular try that took the home side to 8-3 up after 19 minutes.

Connacht responded and their endeavours were finally rewarded with a second Keatley penalty that cut the Ospreys lead to 8-6.

In first-half injury time a flowing Ospreys attack ended with the award of a penalty which Biggar converted from the 22 to give his side an 11-6 interval lead.

Phillips emerged at half-time to a warm welcome from the home faithful and the Ospreys opened up a 13-point lead with a penalty and try for Biggar within nine minutes of the restart.

Biggar went in at the left corner after receiving a reverse pass from Owen.

But any hopes of then going for the bonus point win had to be delayed after second row Ian Evans was yellow-carded for a high tackle, and with the extra man Connacht grabbed a try through hooker Sean Cronin.

Two further Keatley penalties made for a tense finish.

In the Guinness Premiership, Northampton suffered their first defeat since October, losing 13-6 at Harlequins.

Wasps beat title-chasing Saracens 9-0 at Adams Park, while champions Leicester continued their ominous progress towards a potential successful title defence by crushing Welford Road visitors Gloucester 33-11.

London Irish are still without a win in any competition since 27 December, but a 12-12 draw at Newcastle at least kept them among the play-off contenders,

while Worcester went down 37-13 at Bath.