Connacht’s final starting team for this year’s United Rugby Championship against Zebre on Saturday (17th May 2025) features four changes with Joe Joyce, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Paul Boyle and David Hawkshaw named.
JJ Hanrahan, Santiago Cordero and Piers O’Conor all make their final appearances for Connacht.
The team in full:
Santiago Cordero at full back;
Shayne Bolton, David Hawkshaw, Bundee Aki and Finn Treacy are the three quarters;
Out half JJ Hanrahan partners scrum half Ben Murphy;
A front row of Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan and Finlay Bealham;
Josh Murphy and Joe Joyce are behind them;
While captain Cian Prendergast, Shamus Hurley-Langton and Paul Boyle complete the pack.
Connacht scrum half Ben Murphy caught up with Galway Bay FM's William Davies during the week.
William also got the thoughts of Connacht interim head coach Cullie Tucker.
The other clash between two teams out of the play-off mix, with 15th hosting 14th.
Zebre have been much more competitive this season, winning five league matches and pushing a number of other teams hard.
But they had a very tough day at the Dublin office last weekend as they conceded 12 tries to Leinster at the Aviva Stadium, so they will want to deliver a response to that to provide a happier conclusion to a generally positive campaign.
Turning to Connacht, they have really fallen away over the past couple of months, losing their last five BKT URC matches to slip out of contention.
Kick-off at Parma on Saturday is 5pm and we’ll have full online coverage on our website galwaybayfm.ie.
