Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins has named his side for tomorrow’s BKT United Rugby Championship meeting with the Vodacom Bulls at Dexcom Stadium (k/o 5.30pm).
Joe Joyce captains the side from the second row where he’ll play alongside Niall Murray, while the front row contains props Denis Buckley and Jack Aungier, and hooker Dave Heffernan following his return from Ireland duty.
The back row consists of number 8 Sean Jansen, and flankers Conor Oliver and Josh Murphy following his return from suspension.
In the backs, Jack Carty starts at out-half with in-form scrum-half Ben Murphy alongside him, while Cathal Forde and Piers O’Conor make up the centre pairing. An exciting back three includes wingers Santiago Cordero and Shayne Bolton, with Shane Jennings named at full-back.
The bench includes props Jordan Duggan who will make his 50th appearance for the club if called upon, and Sam Illo who has recovered from injury which has kept him out since the end of September.
Head coach Pete Wilkins says:
“The Bulls will be a massive challenge but one we’re looking forward to. They’ve quality across the field and have that typical South African mix of strength in the forwards and speed in the backs. That said we’ve had a really positive few weeks since our last game and can welcome back a few players from injury and international duty, so we’re in a good spot overall.”
CONNACHT RUGBY MATCHDAY 23 VS VODACOM BULLS
17:30, Saturday 30th November 2024 @ Dexcom Stadium
Number/Name/Caps
15. Shane Jennings (15)
14. Shayne Bolton (18)
13. Piers O’Conor (6)
12. Cathal Forde (37)
11. Santiago Cordero (8)
10. Jack Carty (213)
9. Ben Murphy (5)
1. Denis Buckley (254)
2. Dave Heffernan (205)
3. Jack Aungier (70)
4. Joe Joyce (25) (C)
5. Niall Murray (79)
6. Josh Murphy (22)
7. Conor Oliver (88)
8. Sean Jansen (11)
16. Dylan Tierney-Martin (42)
17. Jordan Duggan (49)
18. Sam Illo (24)
19. Darragh Murray (28)
20. Paul Boyle (98)
21. Caolin Blade (198)
22. David Hawkshaw (34)
23. Shamus Hurley-Langton (42)
