CONNACHT HEAD COACH Pete Wilkins has shuffled his deck with no fewer than nine changes for Lyon’s visit to the Sportsground in the Challenge Cup on Saturday night [8pm, Premier Sports].
Wilkins makes five changes to the pack which started the interpro defeat to Ulster, with Peter Dooley, Dave Heffernan, Oisin Dowling, Joe Joyce and Sean Jansen all starting.
Ben Murphy and Josh Ioane return as an all-new half-back pairing, with two further changes in the backs as Shane Jennings and Sevens star Chay Mullins both start.
“We’re familiar with Lyon having played them last season,” Wilkins said, “and after watching them this year there’s a huge amount of firepower there, particularly in the backline.
“They’ve selected a strong squad to travel over, but with home advantage and a strong focus on the Challenge Cup this year, this is a great test for where we’re at.”
Connacht start Round 3 on top of Pool 1 with a perfect 10 points from 10 having opened their European campaign with back-to-back bonus-point wins over Zebre and Perpignan.
Connacht Rugby
15. Santiago Cordero
14. Chay Mullins
13. Piers O’Conor
12. Bundee Aki
11. Shane Jennings
10. Josh Ioane
9. Ben Murphy
1. Peter Dooley
2. Dave Heffernan
3. Finlay Bealham
4. Oisín Dowling
5. Joe Joyce
6. Cian Prendergast (capt)
7. Shamus Hurley-Langton
8. Sean Jansen
Replacements:
16. Dylan Tierney-Martin
17. Jordan Duggan
18. Jack Aungier
19. Josh Murphy
20. Paul Boyle
21. Caolin Blade
22. Cathal Forde
23. David Hawkshaw
Lyon Rugby
15. Alexandre Tchaptchet
14. Semi Radradra
13. Josiah Maraku
12. Thibaut Regard
11. Vincent Rattez
10. Fletcher Smith
9. Martin Page-Relo
1. Hamza Kaabeche
2. Sam Matavesi
3. Irakli Aptsiauri
4. Félix Lambey (c)
5. Tomas Lavanini
6. Steeve Blanc-Mappaz
7. Marvin Okuya
8. Maxime Gouzou
Replacements:
16. Guillaume Marchand
17. Lyan Pakihivatau
18. Jermaine Ainsley
19. Killian Geraci
20. Pierre-Samuel Pacheco
21. Charlie Cassang
22. Alfred Parisien
23. Martin Meliande
Lyon have brought a stronger side that I’d have expected. We need a huge performance here, our season is unraveling and the Challenge Cup looks a more likely place to pick up some semblance of success.
The faith being shown in Cordero is mind boggling. If Lyon have any sense they will target that Connacht back 3. Especially in the air. This really depends on how much Lyon want this. Connacht are very vulnerable right now.
@Ray Ridge: Ray give over with the constant Cordero bashing will you? It got old before Christmas ffs.
@Patrick Kennedy: No, I won’t. It’s a disgrace what’s going on. I’ll keep it going until such time as he puts in a bit of effort. He’s being going through the motions out there week in week out. It’s unacceptable. Are we still putting it down to the fact that he was out injured for a year almost 8 month’s ago.
@Ray Ridge: Do you actually think he gives a flying f u c k what anyone on here thinks of him? Get a life Ray
@Patrick Kennedy: He doesn’t care and he doesn’t care about the 5 or 6k supporters at the dexcom either by the looks of it. It’s not good enough. It’s not what the ethos of Connacht rugby is about.
@Ray Ridge: his performances have picked up of late though, and the reality is we don’t have any better options to fill the void.
@Patrick Breen: Well yes with Bolton and Hansen and Gavin out options are limited.
@Ray Ridge: your own post is a fair description of yourself, only shame that you wouldn’t disappear for 8 months
@Ray Ridge: you haven’t a clue about rugby and that’s the only thing you keep proving week in week out
@Ray Ridge: Mad alright, I hope he finds some form like, but he’s been dire
Really surprised to see Forde and Hawkshaw on benching. Liked O’Connor at full back and think Hawkshaw has earned a place outside Bundee on the basis of recent performances.
Connacht’s selection in the second-row is of the ‘meat and rwo veg’ when it comes to line-out work. Lots of ball to No 2 & No 4.
Result depends on which Lyon team turns up – the one that drew with Toulouse at home or the one that went to Galway last year.