Hooker Shane Delahunt will become the latest centurion after he was selected in the starting XV for Connacht’s final Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup clash with Ospreys at The Sportsground tomorrow (k/o 6.00pm)
Delahunt joined the Connacht Academy in the summer of 2014, and made his debut off the bench against Glasgow that September. Following a string of appearances he was handed his first Pro contract ahead of the 2016-17 season and has been a mainstay in the squad since then.
Delahunt starts in a new look front row with props Jordan Duggan and Dominic Robertson-McCoy, while Niall Murray and Ultan Dillane continue their second row partnership. There’s one change in the back row where Eoghan Masterson starts at number 8, with flankers Cian Prendergast and captain Jarrad Butler retained.
There are further changes at #9 and #10 with Caolin Blade and Jack Carty both starting, while Tom Daly and Bundee Aki continue to pair up at centre. The final change is in the back three where Ben O’Donnell comes onto the wing, with Peter Sullivan on the opposite side and Alex Wootton moving to full-back.
Commenting on his team selection, Head Coach Andy Friend says:
“I’m delighted for Shane Delahunt who becomes the latest centurion in the squad. Shane always gives us huge energy and he’s had a big increase in game-time this season which is a testament to him and how he’s performed. He’s a great character and a popular member of the dressing room too.
We’d obviously prefer to be in the chasing pack for the Final but it’s still important we finish the season on a high. It’s been such a strange and long 12 months for all the players and staff, but we owe it to ourselves, the supporters and our departing players and staff that we do everything to win this one.”
CONNACHT MATCHDAY 23 VS OSPREYS
Friday 4th June, The Sportsground, kick-off 6.00pm
Name/Number/Caps
15. Alex Wootton (21)
14. Peter Sullivan (16)
13. Bundee Aki (110)
12. Tom Daly (48)
11. Ben O’Donnell (5)
10. Jack Carty (158)
9. Caolin Blade (131)
1. Jordan Duggan (12)
2. Shane Delahunt (99)
3. Dominic Robertson-McCoy (67)
4. Niall Murray (17)
5. Ultan Dillane (113)
6. Cian Prendergast
7. Jarrad Butler (72) (C)
8. Eoghan Masterson (110)
Replacements
16. Jonny Murphy (15)
17. Matthew Burke (22)
18. Jack Aungier (13)
19. Oisin Dowling (6)
20. Sean Masterson (12)
21. Kieran Marmion (186)
22. Conor Fitzgerald (36)
23. Sammy Arnold (15)
