British & Irish Lions trio Bundee Aki, Finlay Bealham and Mack Hansen all start for Connacht tomorrow night in their home game in the United Rugby Championship against the Vodacom Bulls from South Africa. Connacht will be looking to bounce back from their 14-8 defeat away to Cardiff last weekend. The Vodacom Bulls team sees 11 changes in the starting lineup from the side that lost 28-7 to Ulster last weekend, including Reinhardt Ludwig being named as captain.
Connacht Rugby v Vodacom Bulls - Dexcom Stadium, Friday 7.45 pm, Live on: TG4 and Galway Bay FM
Connacht Rugby: Mack Hansen, Chay Mullins, Byron Ralston, Bundee Aki, Shayne Bolton, Josh Ioane, Caolin Blade, Peter Dooley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Darragh Murray, David O'Connor, Josh Murphy, Cian Prendergast (CAPT), Sean Jansen
Replacements: Dylan Tierney-Martin, Jordan Duggan, Jack Aungier, Joe Joyce, Sean O'Brien, Matthew Devine, Sean Naughton, Cathal Forde
Vodacom Bulls: Willie le Roux, Canan Moodie, David Kriel, Jan Serfontein, Sebastian de Klerk, Keagan Johannes, Paul de Wet, Alu Tshakweni, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Wilco Louw, Cobus Wiese, Reinhardt Ludwig (CAPT), Nama Xaba, JJ Theron, Jeandre Rudolph
Replacements: Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp, Francois Klopper, Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, Mpilo Gumede, Embrose Papier, Harold Vorster, Stravino Jacobs
Connacht Rugby Head Coach Stuart Lancaster said: “The Vodacom Bulls are a formidable side, with a strong blend of power up front and pace in the back field. They were BKT URC finalists for a reason last year, and we’re expecting a response after their defeat in Ulster last week. With the fans behind us, the three returning Lions and a much-improved performance, it should make for a great game.”
Vodacom Bulls Head Coach Johan Ackermann said: “I’m surprised Connacht lost to Cardiff after a strong first game. They’re a quality team, like Ulster, with big ball carriers and Stuart Lancaster coaching. With several British & Irish Lions returning, they’ll be strong and motivated after a home loss. It’s a tough challenge in difficult conditions, so we must prepare fully for a hard-fought match.”
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU), AR 1: Andrew Cole (IRFU), AR 2: Jack MacNeice (IRFU), TMO: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
