Connacht Head Coach Andy Friend has made three
changes to the Connacht starting team for the visit of Benetton to the
Sportsground on Saturday (Kick Off 7:35pm). Darragh Leader, Peter Robb and Paul
Boyle all come into the side as Connacht hope to bounce back from a defeat away
to Scarlets on the opening day of the season.
Leader’s inclusion on the wing sees him come into a
back three with Matt Healy on the opposite wing and Tiernan O’Halloran at full
back, while Robb will form a midfield partnership with Kyle Godwin.
Conor Fitzgerald and Caolin Blade will continue
their half-back partnership with Kieran Marmion named among the replacements.
Paul Boyle at number 8 is the only change among the
forwards with Captain Jarrad Butler named at openside and Eoghan Masterson at
blindside. Masterson’s brother Sean is named among the replacements, with the
21 year old Academy player set for his senior debut having impressed for the
Connacht Eagles in their five wins so far in the Celtic Cup.
The front five remains unchanged with Paddy
McAllister retained after his debut against Scarlets in a front row that
includes hooker Tom McCartney and Finlay Bealham at tighthead. The side is
completed with locks Gavin Thornbury and Quinn Roux.
Speaking ahead of the game, Connacht Head Coach Andy
Friend said: “While we were disappointed with the result last weekend, there is
huge anticipation among the squad for our first home game of the season. We
have set some really ambitious targets for the season ahead, particularly
around our home form. A packed Sportsground is a very difficult place for away
teams to come and I expect a great atmosphere when we face Benetton on Saturday
evening”.
Commenting on his team selection, Friend added: “We
have made three changes to our starting team from last weekend. Some of those
were down to one or two injuries we picked up and some are down to the depth we
have in the squad. We are prepared for a long season where we will need a large
squad of players to compete in the Pro14 and European competitions. This week
we have named Sean Masterson among the replacements. He is an excellent young
back row who has impressed already for the Connacht Eagles side. I’m confident
that he is ready for that step up to Pro14 rugby this weekend”.
Connacht
Matchday Squad:
(15-9) Tiernan O’Halloran, Darragh Leader, Kyle
Godwin, Peter Robb, Matt Healy, Conor Fitzgerald, Caolin Blade, (1-8) Paddy
McAllister, Tom McCartney, Finlay Bealham, Gavin Thornbury, Quinn Roux, Eoghan
Masterson, Jarrad Butler (Capt), Paul Boyle.
Replacements (16-23): Shane Delahunt, Denis Buckley,
Dominic Robertson-McCoy, Ultan Dillane, Sean Masterson, Kieran Marmion, Tom
Farrell, Stephen Fitzgerald.
