PAT LAM HAS made five changes to his side for the trip to play Newport Gwent Dragons in the Guinness Pro12 at Rodney Parade tomorrow night [KO: 7:15pm].
Bundee Aki returns to the starting XV where he’ll partner Peter Robb in midfield.
On the wing, 25-year-old Stacey Ili will make his first Guinness PRO12 start while Monivea-man Caolin Blade comes in at scrumhalf.
There are two changes in the pack as hooker and last week’s try scorer Shane Delahunt is promoted from the bench and Eoin McKeon returns to the back row.
Academy prop Saba Meunargia has returned from injury to be included among the replacements.
If called upon, the 22-year-old will make his first PRO12 appearance, having already featured twice in the European Challenge Cup. He’ll be joined on the bench by James Connolly and Shane O’Leary have both been recalled.
Elsewhere, Academy back Conor McKeon, who has recently transitioned from outhalf to scrumhalf, has been named in his first match day squad this season.
Connacht
15. Tiernan O’Halloran
14. Niyi Adeolokun
13. Bundee Aki
12. Peter Robb
11. Stacey Ili
10. Jack Carty
9. Caolin Blade
1. JP Cooney
2. Shane Delahunt
3. Conor Carey
4. Quinn Roux
5. Andrew Browne
6. Eoin McKeon
7. Jake Heenan
8. John Muldoon (captain)
Replacements
