Connacht fought back from 14 points down to draw level in the second half but ultimately fell to a fifth successive United Rugby Championship defeat, losing 31–21 to Edinburgh at Dexcom Stadium. It was a frustrating finale to their home campaign, typifying a season in which they failed to capitalise on scoring opportunities while conceding soft tries. The defeat ended any lingering hopes of a positive finish, with Connacht already out of the running for both the URC knockout stages and next season’s Champions Cup. By contrast, Edinburgh arrived in Galway with plenty to play for and left with a vital bonus-point win that keeps their hopes of qualification alive heading into the final round. On a sunny evening in Galway, Bundee Aki marked his 150th appearance for Connacht - just days after being named in the British and Irish Lions squad for a second time. However, it was another Lion, Edinburgh prop Pierre Schoeman, who opened the scoring after eight minutes, powering over following a series of lineout penalties. Ross Thompson added the conversion for a 7–0 lead. Connacht dominated possession thereafter but were wasteful. A potential try from captain Cian Prendergast was chalked off on 19 minutes for crossing by Sean Jansen in the buildup. Edinburgh struck again on 27 minutes when winger Jack Brown released Hamish Watson down the left. The flanker dummied full-back Santiago Cordero and finished well in the corner. Thompson nailed a difficult conversion to double the visitors’ lead. Connacht responded after the interval with real purpose. A brilliant break from Shayne Bolton led to a try for Finn Treacy two minutes into the second half, converted by JJ Hanrahan. Treacy crossed again ten minutes later, this time latching onto a pop pass from scrum-half Ben Murphy to level the score at 14–14. Edinburgh regained the lead on 57 minutes through Ben Muncaster, but Connacht hit back again. A clever counter-kick from Cordero created the platform, and the Argentine full-back — set to leave the province shortly — delivered the final pass for Bolton to touch down. Hanrahan, also on his way out, slotted the conversion from the touchline to tie the game once more at 21–21. But it was Edinburgh who finished stronger. Replacement Charlie Shiel broke from deep to score under the posts, before Ben Healy’s late 40-metre penalty secured the win and all five points. Connacht 21 Edinburgh 31 Connacht:Tries – Finn Treacy (2), Shayne BoltonConversions – JJ Hanrahan (3/3) Edinburgh:Tries – Pierre Schoeman, Hamish Watson, Ben Muncaster, Charlie ShielConversions – Ross Thompson (3/3), Ben Healy (1/1)Penalty – Ben Healy Connacht:S Cordero; S Bolton, H Gavin (D Hawkshaw HT), B Aki, F Treacy; JJ Hanrahan, B Murphy (C Blade 65); D Buckley (P Dooley 61), D Heffernan (D Tierney-Martin 62), F Bealham (J Aungier 62); J Murphy, D Murray (O Dowling 54–68); C Prendergast (c), C Oliver, S Jansen (P Boyle 54) Edinburgh:W Goosen; D Graham, M Currie, M Tuipulotu (F Thomson 56), J Brown; R Thompson (B Healy 73), A Price (C Shiel 68); P Schoeman (B Venter 62), E Ashman (P Harrison 64), D Rae (J Sebastian 50); M Sykes (G Young 72), S Skinner; B Muncaster (L McConnell 74), H Watson, M Bradbury (c)