The Connacht Rugby matchday squad has been named for tomorrow’s EPCR Challenge Cup quarter-final meeting with Racing 92 at Dexcom Stadium (k/o 8pm).
There are five changes from the side that beat Cardiff in the Round of 16 last weekend. Captain Cian Prendergast returns to start at blindside flanker, with Josh Murphy shifting back to the second row. Lock Joe Joyce also comes into the team, as does prop Denis Buckley. In the backs there’s a first appearance in nearly two months for scrum-half Ben Murphy after recovering from finger surgery, while in the back three Shayne Bolton misses out due to a quad strain, so there’s a start for Shane Jennings. Buckley forms a vastly experienced front row with Dave Heffernan and Finlay Bealham, while Shamus Hurley-Langton and Sean Jansen complete the forwards. JJ Hanrahan continues at out-half, as does the centre pairing of Bundee Aki and Hugh Gavin. Winger Finn Treacy and full-back Mack Hansen complete the side. Among the replacements is the returning Peter Dooley who will make his 50th appearance for the club if called upon.
Cullie Tucker says: “There’s a great buzz and atmosphere in the camp this week. Knockout rugby is always special, and with a massive French club like Racing coming to visit, and a place in the semi-finals up for grabs, these are exactly the kind of days you want to be involved in. Racing are littered with internationals across the squad and are on a good run of form, particularly away from home, so we’re fully aware of the task ahead of us. But the lads have prepared exceptionally well this week and I’m confident they’ll deliver the performance we’ll need to get a result.”
CONNACHT SQUAD V RACING 92
8pm, Saturday 12th April 2025 @ Dexcom Stadium
Number/Name/Caps
15. Mack Hansen (40)
14. Shane Jennings (20)
13. Hugh Gavin (7)
12. Bundee Aki (148)
11. Finn Treacy (5)
10. JJ Hanrahan (26)
9. Ben Murphy (12)
1. Denis Buckley (262)
2. Dave Heffernan (215)
3. Finlay Bealham (215)
4. Josh Murphy (34)
5. Joe Joyce (33)
6. Cian Prendergast (82) Captain
7. Shamus Hurley-Langton (54)
8. Sean Jansen (21)
16. Dylan Tierney-Martin (53)
17. Peter Dooley (49)
18. Jack Aungier (83)
19. Oisín Dowling (73)
20. Paul Boyle (111)
21. Matthew Devine (15)
22. Josh Ioane (13)
23. Cathal Forde (47)
