Aki and Carty return to face Scarlets

Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins has made two changes to his starting XV for tomorrow’s United Rugby Championship clash away to the Scarlets in Llanelli (k/o 7.35pm).

Bundee Aki comes straight into the team for his first appearance of the season - last year's World Player of the Year nominee is named at inside-centre with Cathal Forde moving to 13 and Piers O’Conor shifting to the wing.

Jack Carty also comes into the team for the first time this campaign, replacing Josh Ioane at out-half who continues his graduated return to play protocols.

The bench sees the inclusion of prop Temi Lasisi who could make his debut if called upon, and Shayne Bolton who has recovered from the injury he sustained against Munster.

Head coach Pete Wilkins says:

“Llanelli is always tough place to go for visiting teams, so whilst respecting the Scarlets’ strengths we must make every effort to impose our game and take our opportunities when they arise.  

In Bundee and Jack we have two senior players coming into the starting lineup with a wealth of experience and quality. It says a lot about the strength of the squad this year that we’re able to bring in players of that calibre.

We will need to perform at our best to get a result and everyone is looking forward to the challenge.”

CONNACHT RUGBY MATCHDAY 23 VS SCARLETS

19:35, Friday 4th October 2024 @ Parc y Scarlets

Number/Name/Caps (* denotes uncapped)

15. Santiago Cordero (4)

14. Mack Hansen (34)

13. Cathal Forde (33)

12. Bundee Aki (138)

11. Piers O'Conor (2)

10. Jack Carty (212)
9. Ben Murphy (2)

1. Denis Buckley (250)

2. Dave Heffernan (20)

3. Finlay Bealham (205)

4. Niall Murray (76)
5. David O’Connor (1)

6. Josh Murphy (20)

7. Conor Oliver (87)

8. Cian Prendergast (70) (C) 

16. Dylan Tierney-Martin (38)

17. Peter Dooley (39)

18. Temi Lasisi *

19. Oisín Dowling (61)

20. Paul Boyle (94)

21. Caolin Blade (194)

22. David Hawkshaw (32)

23. Shayne Bolton (14)