CONNACHT HAVE MADE sweeping changes to the side that beat Zebre as they host Leinster in the URC clash at Dexcom Stadium on Friday (KO: 7.45pm, live on Premier Sports 1)
Stuart Lancaster, Connacht head coach, has made 12 changes in all, with only Finlay Bealham, Cathal Forde and captain Paul Boyle retained.
Bring it on 🔥
Our 2⃣3⃣ to face @leinsterrugby tomorrow at Dexcom Stadium 🟢🦅
Read more 🔗 https://t.co/ie6qsuVMGZ
#OneConnacht https://t.co/JQ3TKCcvG8
Flanker Sean O’Brien returns to the side, while Will Connors makes his first start for the club. Josh Murphy and David O’Connor start in the front row, while Bealham is joined by Francois Van Wyk and Dave Heffernan to form an experienced front row.
There’s a first start this season at out-half for Seán Naughton, who is joined at scrum-half by Caolin Blade. Following an injury to Harry West, John Devine starts at 13, alongside Cathal Forde.
There is also a completely new back three, with Josh Ioane selected at full-back, joined by wingers Shayne Bolton and Daniel Ryan, a Connacht academy prospect.
Larmour returns
Max Deegan captains Leinster with Jordan Larmour making his first appearance of the season.
Both Connor Fahy and Alex Mullan are set to receive their first caps.
Fintan Gunne and Joey Carbery are the half-backs with Charlie Tector partnering academy debutant Fahy in the centre. Larmour joins Joshua Kenny and Todd Lawlor in rounding out the back line.
Gus McCarthy starts at hooker with Alex Usanov and Niall Smyth the props. Brian Deeny and Alan Spicer join forces in the second row.
Scott Penny is in at openside flanker alongside Deegan on the blindside with James Culhane at number eight.
Here is your Leinster Rugby Team to take on Connacht in the BKT URC Round 5 match tomorrow evening in Galway. A very welcome return for Jordan Larmour and first caps for Connor Fahy and Alex Mullan https://t.co/6C3m6LkYY4
Stephen Smyth, Peter Dooley and Alex Mullan provide the front row cover with Conor O’Tighearnaigh and Alex Soroka filling out the forward replacements.
Cormac Foley provides the reinforcements at scrum-half with academy out-half Caspar Gabriel and Ciarán Mangan completing the matchday 23.
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Connacht and Leinster shuffle the deck ahead of URC clash
CONNACHT HAVE MADE sweeping changes to the side that beat Zebre as they host Leinster in the URC clash at Dexcom Stadium on Friday (KO: 7.45pm, live on Premier Sports 1)
Stuart Lancaster, Connacht head coach, has made 12 changes in all, with only Finlay Bealham, Cathal Forde and captain Paul Boyle retained.
Flanker Sean O’Brien returns to the side, while Will Connors makes his first start for the club. Josh Murphy and David O’Connor start in the front row, while Bealham is joined by Francois Van Wyk and Dave Heffernan to form an experienced front row.
There’s a first start this season at out-half for Seán Naughton, who is joined at scrum-half by Caolin Blade. Following an injury to Harry West, John Devine starts at 13, alongside Cathal Forde.
There is also a completely new back three, with Josh Ioane selected at full-back, joined by wingers Shayne Bolton and Daniel Ryan, a Connacht academy prospect.
Larmour returns
Max Deegan captains Leinster with Jordan Larmour making his first appearance of the season.
Both Connor Fahy and Alex Mullan are set to receive their first caps.
Fintan Gunne and Joey Carbery are the half-backs with Charlie Tector partnering academy debutant Fahy in the centre. Larmour joins Joshua Kenny and Todd Lawlor in rounding out the back line.
Gus McCarthy starts at hooker with Alex Usanov and Niall Smyth the props. Brian Deeny and Alan Spicer join forces in the second row.
Scott Penny is in at openside flanker alongside Deegan on the blindside with James Culhane at number eight.
Stephen Smyth, Peter Dooley and Alex Mullan provide the front row cover with Conor O’Tighearnaigh and Alex Soroka filling out the forward replacements.
Cormac Foley provides the reinforcements at scrum-half with academy out-half Caspar Gabriel and Ciarán Mangan completing the matchday 23.
Connacht
15. Josh Ioane
14. Shayne Bolton
13. John Devine
12. Cathal Forde
11. Daniel Ryan
10. Sean Naughton
9. Caolin Blade
1. Francois van Wyk
2. Dave Heffernan
3. Finlay Bealham
4. Josh Murphy
5. David O’Connor
6. Sean O’Brien
7. Will Connors
8. Paul Boyle (capt)
Replacements
16. Matthew Victory
17. Jerry Cahir
18. Fiachna Barrett
19. Niall Murray
20. Shamus Hurley-Langton
21. Colm Reilly
22. Finn Treacy
23. Sam Gilbert
Leinster
15. Todd Lawlor
14. Joshua Kenny
13. Connor Fahy
12. Charlie Tector
11. Jordan Larmour
10. Joey Carbery
9. Fintan Gunne
1. Alex Usanov
2. Gus McCarthy
3. Niall Smyth
4. Brian Deeny
5. Alan Spicer
6. Max Deegan (capt)
7. Scott Penny
8. James Culhane
Replacements:
16. Stephen Smyth
17. Peter Dooley
18. Alex Mullan
19. Conor O’Tighearnaigh
20. Alex Soroka
21. Cormac Foley
22. Caspar Gabriel
23. Ciarán Mangan
Ref: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
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