Connacht Rugby head coach Stuart Lancaster has named his matchday squad for Sunday's EPCR Challenge Cup meeting away to Montpellier at Septeo Stadium (k/o 1 pm Irish time).
Cian Prendergast captains the side from blindside flanker, and is one of seven players retained from the starting team against Leinster, along with Dylan Tierney-Martin, Josh Murphy, Sean Jansen, Josh Ioane, Finn Treacy and Sam Gilbert. In the pack, there’s a first start for Academy loosehead prop Billy Bohan – following two replacement appearances – while Sam Illo starts at tighthead. Darragh Murray partners Murphy in the second row, while Paul Boyle comes into the team at openside flanker. Ben Murphy starts at scrum-half, while there’s a new look centre partnership of Cathal Forde and Harry West. The final change is the inclusion of Shane Jennings on the right wing. On the bench, there is the potential of three new debutants. Academy year 2 hooker Matthew Victory and year 1 scrum-half Albert Lindner are both included in the squad for the first time, as is centre John Devine, who signed a first Pro contract last summer. Also included is replacement prop Peter Dooley, who has recovered from injury and is in line for his first appearance since Munster at the end of October.
Montpellier v Connacht
1 pm Irish time, Sunday 11th January at Septeo Stadium
15. Sam Gilbert (6)
14. Shane Jennings (24)
13. Harry West (4)
12. Cathal Forde (60)
11. Finn Treacy (13)
10. Josh Ioane (21)
9. Ben Murphy (24)
1. Billy Bohan (2)
2. Dylan Tierney-Martin (64)
3. Sam Illo (37)
4. Darragh Murray (48)
5. Josh Murphy (48)
6. Cian Prendergast (93) (C)
7. Paul Boyle (123)
8. Sean Jansen (35)
16. Matthew Victory *
17. Peter Dooley (56)
18. Fiachna Barrett (6)
19. Niall Murray (88)
20. Sean O'Brien (21)
21. Albert Lindner *
22. Sean Walsh (1)
23. John Devine *
