Connacht scrum half Kieran Marmion has returned from
injury to take his place in the Connacht side to play Glasgow Warriors in
Scotstoun on Friday (kick-off 7:35pm). Marmion came off the bench in Connacht’s
victory over the Cheetahs last week, but this will be his first start since
Ireland’s win over the All Blacks in November.
Marmion forms a half-back partnership with 21 year old Academy player Conor
Fitzgerald who comes in for Jack Carty. Fitzgerald’s brother Stephen is set for
his second consecutive start on the wing and is part of a back three that
includes Matt Healy on the opposite wing and Tiernan O’Halloran at full back.
Kyle Godwin and Tom Daly form the midfield partnership, with Bundee Aki and Tom
Farrell away on international duty.
In the forwards, Dave Heffernan comes in at hooker in a front row that includes
loosehead Denis Buckley and tighthead Finlay Bealham. 21 year old Sligo man
Cillian Gallagher starts in the second row alongside James Cannon.
In the back row, Head Coach Andy Friend has retained the same trio that started
the win over Cheetahs last weekend, with Captain Jarrad Butler starting at
number 8 and Eoin McKeon and Colby Fainga’a at blindside and open side
respectively.
Ahead of the trip to Glasgow, Friend spoke of the importance of the fixture for
the overall standings in the conference; “It is extremely tight in our
conference with only a few points separating four or five teams, so every game
takes on an even greater importance now. We have picked a side with a good
blend of youth and experience and I have full confidence in them to get a
result on Friday night”.
Commenting on the return of Kieran Marmion, Friend added; “The real positive
this week is to see Kieran Marmion back and raring to go after a period of
injury. He has worked really hard over the past few months to regain his
fitness and he is looking forward to his 150th appearance in a Connacht jersey.
It’s a significant milestone and something to be proud of for him and his
family.”
Kick-off 7:35pm:
(15-9) Tiernan O’Halloran, Stephen Fitzgerald, Kyle Godwin, Tom Daly, Matt
Healy, Conor Fitzgerald, Kieran Marmion, (1-8) Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan,
Finlay Bealham, Cillian Gallagher, James Cannon, Eoin McKeon, Colby Fainga’a,
Jarrad Butler (Capt).
Replacements (16-23): Shane Delahunt, Peter McCabe, Conor Carey, Joe Maksymiw,
Paul Boyle, Caolin Blade, Peter Robb, Cian Kelleher.
