Connacht team named to face Cardiff

Connachts first away trip of the new season and Connacht Rugby head coach Stuart Lancaster has named his matchday squad for Saturday’s BKT United Rugby Championship game against Cardiff Rugby at Cardiff Arms Park (k/o 7.45pm).

There is one change to the sqaud from last weeks postponed game against Scarlets. Sean O'Brien comes in to the side starting at blindside flanker with Paul Boyle missing out.

Sean joins the back row with Cian Prendergast captaining at openside flanker and Sean Jansen at number 8. Darragh Murray and Joe Joyce make up the second row partnership, while it's Denis Buckley and Jack Aungier at loosehead and tighthead, and hooker Dave Heffernan.

Sean Naughton is at full back and Chay Mullins and Irish international Shayne Bolton on the wings. Cathal Forde and David Hawkshaw in the centre. Completing the side is scrum-half Ben Murphy and out-half Jack Carty.

Head coach Stuart Lancaster says:

"We have had a productive week of training, the boys are looking sharp, focused, and eager to get back out there. Mentally we reset and focused on this game once we heard the Scarlets game was postponed.

CONNACHT RUGBY MATCHDAY SQUAD VS CARDIFF RUGBY
Saturday 11^th October, 7.45pm @ Cardiff Arms Park

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. Sean O'Brien (13)
8. Sean Jansen (27)

16. Eoin de Buitléar (14)
17. Jordan Duggan (63)
18. Sam Illo (32)
19. David O’Connor (9)
20. Shamus Hurley-Langton (57)
21. Matthew Devine (19)
22. Hugh Gavin (10)
23. Finn Treacy (8)