Second-half tries from centre Phil Coknasiga, lock Ryan Smith, and wing Iestyn Hopkins not only gave the Welsh region a fantastic victory but an additional vital try bonus point, after flanker Harri Deaves had gone over just before the break.
Connacht had initially raced into a commanding 21-0 lead thanks to powerful finishes by tight-head props Finlay Bealham and Jack Aungier, either side of a similar effort by number eight Sean Jansen.
Stuart Lancaster’s side ultimately paid the price for their ill-discipline in the second period as Ospreys rallied after the restart, with Welsh international Gareth Thomas’ introduction into the front-row a contributing factor to the Irish Provinces’ downfall.
Connacht were reduced to 13 men because of an injury and a yellow card for Denis Buckley that led to uncontested scrums.
But Ospreys would be on point with their execution to spark wild scenes at the final whistle at the Brewery Field and leave their coach delighted with the outcome.
“You can’t ever question the spirit of the Ospreys,” said Jones following the match.
“No matter who has coached or played for them, the spirit has been very strong.
“Since my time at the Ospreys, as an assistant when Toby [Booth] was here and then as a head coach, we know that the spirit is the most crucial cog in the organisation.
“There is a great spirit throughout the whole of the team – starting players, bench players and those not selected.
“The non-playing group prepared us exceptionally well and we needed that; without it we wouldn’t have got the win.
“The wind was very tricky, and in the first-half, as a result, we ended up in our own half as a result of a lot of penalties.
“We couldn’t get out, and when we did, the first time we got some field position was when we scored the try at the end of the half off the back of the maul – I think that was the tail of the half.
“We got into the right areas in the second-half – kept ball in hand a lot more and decided to play with a bit more excitement and enjoyment – I thought the boys did an awesome job of executing.
“It was nice to see us composed in the last 20, as we are going to need that over the course of the season, where games are tight.
“The main thing that I’m pleased about is the performance. I’m pleased about that more than the outcome. Obviously, the outcome is amazing, and it sets us up for what is a difficult journey over to France.”
Jones would salute his returning Welsh contingent, who he says gave up their recovery break after the international window to feature in the tie.
“I think the boys actioned the half-time messages well, and I also thought the bench came on and did a really good job,” continued Jones.
“We made a tactical change. I know the card forced that, but we were going to make that anyway.
“What we have failed to do is play over the last 20 minutes, so that’s what I’m so pleased about today, is the way we finished strong.
“I thought Gar [Thomas] has done a great job coming in from the international environment, as has Dan Edwards and Reuban [Morgan-Williams].
“They have been in camp after I asked them if they would be prepared to postpone their down week for a week.
“They have, and we have mixed that with the internationals because we wanted to mix it up to ensure we had a good squad of players for this game.
“We will make some rotation to the squad next week, around the international boys, giving them some time off. But we will still have a good squad to go over to Montauban to compete over there.”
[Lead image: Ospreys Rugby]
