PAT LAM HAS named his Connacht team for the province’s Challenge Cup assignment in Brive tomorrow.
The head coach has opted to shuffle his pack and has made ten changes to his starting XV for the crucial Pool 1 clash.
USA international AJ MacGinty has been given the nod at outhalf with Ian Porter partnering him at scrumhalf.
With a host of players sidelined through injury and Jake Heenan not registered to play in Europe, Connacht’s squad is down to its bare bones.
Craig Ronaldson and Kieran Marmion both failed to shake off knocks picked up in last weekend’s defeat to Scarlets and join an ever-lengthening injury list which still contains Robbie Henshaw.
Denis Buckley does return to the squad with Lam selecting a new front row of Ronan Loughney, Jason Harris-Wright and Rodney Ah You.
Academy flankers Sean O’Brien and James Connolly partner captain John Muldoon in the backrow.
Brive have only been beaten once at home this season and they will provide Connacht with a stiff test as the western province look to cement their place in the knock-out stages.
“Tomorrow’s game against Brive is a massive one for us in terms of our European ambitions,” Lam said. “Securing a home quarter final is a goal we set out at the start of the season.
“We’ve made a few changes to the side with the short enough turnaround from last week’s trip to Wales. With guys coming back from injury, competition for places is very high and this is a great opportunity for those lining out tomorrow to put in a performance for the team.”
The game at the Stade Amedee-Damenech kicks off at 7.45pm Irish time.
Connacht (v Brive):
15. Tiernan O’Halloran
14. Danie Poolman
13. Rory Parata
12. Bundee Aki
11. Matt Healy
10. AJ MacGinty
9. Ian Porter
1. Ronan Loughney
2. Jason Harris-Wright
3. Rodney Ah You
4. Ultan Dillane
5. Aly Muldowney
6. Sean O’Brien
7. James Connolly
8. John Muldoon (captain)
Replacements:
16. Tom McCartney
17. Denis Buckley
18. Finlay Bealham
19. George Naoupu
20. Eoghan Masterson
21. Caolin Blade
22. Jack Carty
23. Peter Robb
