Connacht bounced back from their loss away to Castres on Wednesday when a different starting side and replacements put Sale Sharks to the sword at Dubarry Park by 15-5.
The Westerners led 10-0 at the break, scoring at either end of a half punctuated by a lot of errors and penalties from both sides on a perfect evening for rugby in Athlone.
Conor Oliver got Connacht off the mark after five minutes and before half-time academy player Josh O’Connor crowned his debut with a try.
Replacement hooker Eoin de Buitléar rounded off the try scoring for Connacht eleven minutes from time.
Replacement hooker Tommy Taylor pulled back a late try for Sale, touching down in the left corner.
