Connacht squad named for Edinburgh trip
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Tadgh McElroy and Seán O’Brien have been handed their first Connacht starts in Saturday’s BKT United Rugby Championship clash away to Edinburgh (k/o 7.35pm).
The inclusion of the hooker and back rower are among eight changes from the side that beat Ulster last weekend, as the squad aim to win their opening four games of the season for the first time since the old Celtic League in 2002.
Tom Daly and John Porch make their first appearances of the season, with Daly partnering Byron Ralston who moves from the wing to outside centre. Andrew Smith comes in on the left wing, with Porch on the right and Tiernan O’Halloran retained at full-back.
Jack Carty again captains the side with scrum-half Caolin Blade alongside him.
The front row sees Peter Dooley come in alongside McElroy and Jack Aungier, while the Murray brothers Niall and Darragh are paired together in the second row. The starting line-up is completed by flankers Cian Prendergast and Seán O’Brien.
The bench includes the fit-again JJ Hanrahan, while Sam Illo could also feature for the first time this season.
Commenting ahead of the game, head coach Pete Wilkins says:
"Tomorrow marks the beginning of an important few weeks for us. We've made a good start with the three home wins but now need to keep that form going away from home, starting in Scotland tomorrow.
Edinburgh away is always a tough test and this game will be no different. For us it was important to find a balance in our selection, rewarding recent performances, whilst also providing an opportunity to those players who have narrowly missed out in previous weeks. Above all else it's a 23 that I believe can get the win, if we play to our strengths and take our opportunities when they come."
CONNACHT RUGBY MATCHDAY 23 VS EDINBURGH RUGBY
19:35, Saturday 11th November 2023 @ Hive Stadium
15. Tiernan O’Halloran (224)
14. John Porch (80)
13. Byron Ralston (18)
12. Tom Daly (78)
11. Andrew Smith (2)
10. Jack Carty (197) (C)
9. Caolin Blade (173)
1. Peter Dooley (20)
2. Tadgh McElroy (3)
3. Jack Aungier (53)
4. Niall Murray (59)
5. Darragh Murray (10)
6. Cian Prendergast (50)
7. Conor Oliver (65)
8. Seán O’Brien (1)
16. Dylan Tierney-Martin (27)
17. Jordan Duggan (41)
18. Sam Illo (11)
19. Joe Joyce (3)
20. Jarrad Butler (117)
21. Colm Reilly (20)
22. David Hawkshaw (15)
23. JJ Hanrahan (2)
