Stat attack: Connacht 18-27 Bristol Bears

After conceding 51 points against Clermont last week, Pat Lam had called for significant defensive improvements from his side - and he got that in abundance.

The Bears made 137 tackles and missed just 13 throughout a dogged 80-minute performance, with Ben Earl topping the charts with 18, including the sensational try-saving hit seen below.

When Ed Holmes scores tries, they are usually worth watching, and the big second row added another gem to his collection on Sunday night, to cap an impressive display against Connacht.

Holmes gathered Hughes' offload before sprinting down the touchline and barging his way to the line, but he also stood tall across the field, making 11 tackles, four lineout takes, two clean breaks and 42 metres with ball in hand.

The Bears' lineout drive has been a key feature of their devastating attack in recent times - and that was no different on Sunday night.

Dave Attwood was the lynchpin of the lineout with seven takes and one steal, as the visitors outmuscled their hosts at the Galway Sports Ground.