Team announcement - Connacht
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Connacht Rugby head coach Stuart Lancaster has named his matchday squad for tomorrow’s BKT United Rugby Championship interpro away to Ulster Rugby (k/o 7.45pm).
Cian Prendergast captains the side and is one of five players who have come from international duty straight into the starting line-up. Bundee Aki, fresh off his IRFU contract extension, try scorer Darragh Murray, Finlay Bealham and Academy prop Billy Bohan are also named in the starting XV.
In a further boost, Dave Heffernan has recovered from a two month calf injury to complete the front row, while Sean Jansen and Paul Boyle have been passed fit to be included in the matchday 23. Jansen is retained at number 8 while Boyle is named among the replacements.
The forwards are completed by lock Joe Joyce and blindside flanker Josh Murphy.
Scrum-half Colm Reilly is retained while Jack Carty comes in at out-half. Cathal Forde shifts to outside centre, while the back three consists of wingers Finn Treacy and Shane Jennings, and Academy full-back Sean Naughton.
Head coach Stuart Lancaster says:
“We’ve been building some nice momentum this past month or two, but tomorrow will be the biggest challenge yet in this block. Ulster have been very strong this season and their home form is also impressive, but we are excited about the game and what lies ahead.
It’s great to welcome the five players back from international duty, while Heff’s return is also welcome because he was in great form before his injury. These interpros are always intense and physical, so I’m expecting more of the same from both sides tomorrow.”
Ulster Rugby vs Connacht Rugby
Friday 20th March, 19:45 @ Affidea Stadium
Number/Name/Caps
15. Sean Naughton (10)
14. Shane Jennings (30)
13. Cathal Forde (66)
12. Bundee Aki (159)
11. Finn Treacy (17)
10. Jack Carty (230)
9. Colm Reilly (31)
1. Billy Bohan (6)
2. Dave Heffernan (228)
3. Finlay Bealham (226)
4. Joe Joyce (50)
5. Darragh Murray (51)
6. Josh Murphy (54)
7. Cian Prendergast (97) (C)
8. Sean Jansen (39)
16. Matthew Victory (3)
17. Peter Dooley (59)
18. Sam Illo (41)
19. Niall Murray (91)
20. Paul Boyle (129)
21. Ben Murphy (29)
22. Josh Ioane (26)
23. John Devine (2)
Unavailable: Caolin Blade, Shayne Bolton, Denis Buckley, Oisín Dowling, Sam Gilbert, Hugh Gavin, David Hawkshaw, Mack Hansen, Temi Lasisi, Byron Ralston, Dylan Tierney-Martin, Harry West.
