Connacht team announcement for Scarlet's clash
- 1213
- Cian Prendergast named captain
- Irish internationals Jack Aungier, Darragh Murray and Hugh Gavin return
- Finn Treacy return to play for the first time since May
Connacht Rugby head coach Stuart Lancaster has named his matchday squad for Saturday’s BKT United Rugby Championship game against Scarlets Rugby at Dexcom Stadium (k/o 1.45pm).
Cian Prendergast captains the side from blindside flanker in his 88th appearance for the province, with nine changes made to the starting fifteen from last weekends win over Benetton.
Cian features in a back row that includes Paul Boyle with Sean Jansen at number 8. Darragh Murray and Joe Joyce come in to make up the second row partnership, while its a new front row completing the pack with props Denis Buckley and Jack Aungier, and hooker Dave Heffernan.
In the backs, the back three remain the same with Sean Naughton at full back and Chay Mullins and Irish international Shayne Bolton on the wings. Cathal Forde is joined by David Hawkshaw in the centre. Completing the side is scrum-half Ben Murphy and out-half Jack Carty.
Head coach Stuart Lancaster says:
“I was really pleased with the result last weekend against a really strong Benetton side. There was a lot of positives to take from it, but still plenty to improve on. The energy from the fans was brilliant and we’ll need that same energy on Saturday this time with the earlier start.
I know the Scarlets coaching team well and I have a lot of respect for them. Dwayne will have them really well organised and up for the fight and Jarrod is a great defence coach. They more than deserved their play off chance last season.
We’ve made a few changes for the game with the new faces coming, it's exciting to see how they'll go”
CONNACHT RUGBY MATCHDAY SQUAD VS SCARLETS RUGBY
Saturday 4th October, 1.45pm @ Dexcom Stadium
Number/Name/Caps
15. Sean Naughton (2)
14. Chay Mullins (9)
13. David Hawkshaw (44)
12. Cathal Forde (52)
11. Shayne Bolton (27)
10. Jack Carty (221)
9. Ben Murphy (17)
1. Denis Buckley (265)
2. Dave Heffernan (220)
3. Jack Aungier (88)
4. Darragh Murray (39)
5. Joe Joyce (38)
6. Cian Prendergast (88) (C)
7. Paul Boyle (117)
8. Sean Jansen (27)
16. Eoin de Buitléar (14)
17. Jordan Duggan (63)
18. Sam Illo (32)
19. David O’Connor (9)
20. Sean O'Brien (13)
21. Matthew Devine (19)
22. Hugh Gavin (10)
23. Finn Treacy (8)
