Connacht Rugby head coach Stuart Lancaster has named his matchday squad for tomorrow’s historic BKT United Rugby Championship meeting with Leinster at a sold-out Dexcom Stadium (k/o 5.30pm).
An all-time record attendance of over 12,000 will be in attendance for the official opening of the New Clan Stand, which provides supporters with state-of-the-art facilities across three floors, with standing, seating and hospitality offerings.
Lancaster has selected a squad that shows just three changes from the side that comprehensively beat Montauban last week. Two changes are in the half-backs, with a new pairing of the fit-again Caolin Blade and Josh Ioane at 9 and 10, while Dylan Tierney-Martin is named at hooker after Dave Heffernan was ruled out due to injury.
Cian Prendergast will lead the team out from blindside flanker, in a powerful looking back row with Paul Boyle and Sean Jansen. Josh Murphy and Darragh Murray continue in the second row, while Academy prop Billy Bohan starts alongside Dylan Tierney-Martin and Sam Illo in the front row.
Cathal Forde and Harry West continue at centre after impressive displays in the Challenge Cup, as do the back three of wingers Finn Treacy and Shane Jennings, and full-back Sam Gilbert.
There’s plenty of experience due to come off the bench, with Denis Buckley, Jack Carty and Bundee Aki all included.
The Connacht Team is...
15. Sam Gilbert (8)
14. Shane Jennings (26)
13. Harry West (5)
12. Cathal Forde (62)
11. Finn Treacy (15)
10. Josh Ioane (22)
9. Caolin Blade (218)
1. Billy Bohan (4)
2. Dylan Tierney-Martin (66)
3. Sam Illo (39)
4. Josh Murphy (50)
5. Darragh Murray (50)
6. Cian Prendergast (95) (C)
7. Paul Boyle (125)
8. Sean Jansen (37)
16. Eoin de Buitléar (19)
17. Denis Buckley (272)
18. Jack Aungier (93)
19. Joe Joyce (46)
20. Sean O’Brien (23)
21. Ben Murphy (26)
22. Jack Carty (228)
23. Bundee Aki (157)
