Connacht side to face the Lions
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Connacht Rugby head coach Stuart Lancaster has named his matchday squad for tomorrow’s BKT United Rugby Championship meeting with Fidelity SecureDrive Lions in Johannesburg (k/o 3.00pm Irish time).
Jack Aungier will become the latest Connacht centurion, after the tighthead prop was named to start in what will be his 100th Connacht appearance. The 27-year old joined Connacht from Leinster in 2020, and now becomes the 43rd player to reach the landmark milestone for the club.
His inclusion is one of 10 changes from the side that started the win over the Stormers last week. Captain Cian Prendergast, flanker Shamus Hurley-Langton, and backs John Devine, Harry West and Sam Gilbert all retain their places from that game.
There’s a new front row of Peter Dooley and Dylan Tierney-Martin joining Aungier, as well as a new second row partnership of Niall Murray and Joe Joyce. The final change in the pack sees Paul Boyle come in at number 8, with Sean Jansen passed fit for inclusion off the bench.
There’s a new look 9 and 10 with Colm Reilly alongside Jack Carty, while Cathal Forde’s withdrawal due to injury means Hugh Gavin starts at inside centre alongside Devine. In good news Shane Jennings has been passed fit after missing last week, so he comes in on the left wing.
Head coach Stuart Lancaster says:
"Having relocated here to Johannesburg we have quickly turned the page to the Lions and we are under no illusions tomorrow is another massive challenge. The Lions are the form team in South African rugby right now with five straight wins under their belt, and like ourselves are fighting to secure a playoff spot. They’re very well coached with x-factor players across the pitch and play a great brand of attacking and offloading rugby, so we know we have to be ready to meet that challenge from the first minute as their performance against Glasgow was excellent”
CONNACHT RUGBY VS FIDELITY SECUREDRIVE LIONS
Saturday 25th April, 15:00 @ Emirates Airline Park
Number/Name/Caps
15. Sam Gilbert (14)
14. Harry West (9)
13. John Devine (5)
12. Hugh Gavin (16)
11. Shane Jennings (33)
10. Jack Carty (233)
9. Colm Reilly (34)
1. Peter Dooley (63)
2. Dylan Tierney-Martin (73)
3. Jack Aungier (99)
4. Niall Murray (94)
5. Joe Joyce (53)
6. Cian Prendergast (101) (C)
7. Shamus Hurley-Langton (63)
8. Paul Boyle (134)
16. Matthew Victory (7)
17. Billy Bohan (11)
18. Fiachna Barrett (9)
19. Darragh Murray (56)
20. Sean Jansen (43)
21. Matthew Devine (30)
22. Sean Naughton (15)
23. Shayne Bolton (34)
