Head Coach Pat Lam has named his Connacht side for the GUINNESS PRO12 round 5 fixture away to Osprey on Saturday afternoon.
Galway-born fullback Tiernan O’Halloran will captain the side for the first time in his Connacht career. The 24-year-old from Clifden is awarded the honour as John Muldoon, having played 80 minutes in all four games so far this season, is named among the replacements.
There are five personnel changes from the starting XV that lined out against Zebre last week.
Jack Carty has recovered from the injury that kept him out last time to take his place at outhalf. There is a shift in the backline as Craig Ronaldson moves out to inside centre and Bundee Aki wears the 13 shirt, having played there in his Connacht debut in the same fixture last year.
Galway man Darragh Leader is named on the wing for his first start of the season, replacing Danie Poolman who pulled up with a minor hamstring injury during the week.
Up front, 21-year-old Academy hooker Shane Delahunt will make just his second senior start and packs down in a front row with the experienced Denis Buckley and Rodney Ah You. Aly Muldowney is also named for his first start of the season, joining Quinn Roux in the second row.
The back row sees Eoin McKeon shift to blindside flanker to make way for Eoghan Masterson at Number 8. Top try scorer Nepia-Fox Matamua completes the youthful back row.
From the bench, backs Ian Porter and Niyi Adeolokun are both in line to make their first appearance this season.
Connacht line-up v Ospreys
15. Tiernan O’Halloran (captain)
14. Darragh Leader
13. Bundee Aki
12. Craig Ronaldson
11. Matt Healy
10. Jack Carty
9. Kieran Marmion
1. Denis Buckley
2. Shane Delahunt
3. Rodney Ah You
4. Quinn Roux
5. Aly Muldowney
6. Eoin McKeon
7. Nepia Fox-Matamua
8. Eoghan Masterson
Replacements:
16. Dave Heffernan
17. Conan O’Donnell
18. Finlay Bealham
19. Ultan Dillane
20. John Muldoon
21. Ian Porter
22. Rory Parata
23. Niyi Adeolokun
