Connacht have named a strong side for their Christmas interpro against Ulster, welcoming back a number of Irish internationals for tomorrow’s fixture at The Sportsground [KO 7.35pm].
There are 12 changes in all from the side that defeated Brive last week, with Shane Delahunt, Oisín Dowling, and Bundee Aki the only players to retain their place in the starting XV.
Captain Jack Carty, Finlay Bealham, Cian Prendergast, Conor Oliver, and John Porch all return after being rested for the Challenge Cup window, while Mack Hansen has recovered from injury to start.
Denis Buckley completes the front row with Delahunt and Bealham, while locks Josh Murphy and Niall Murray are paired together. Dowling retains his place at blindside flanker, with Oliver on the opposite side for his 50th appearance and Prendergast at number 8.
Caolin Blade is chosen at scrum-half while Tom Farrell partners Aki in the centre. Hansen and Porch take the wings, with Tiernan O’Halloran named at full-back.
Connacht
- 15. Tiernan O’Halloran
- 14. John Porch
- 13. Tom Farrell
- 12. Bundee Aki
- 11. Mack Hansen
- 10. Jack Carty (Captain)
- 9. Caolin Blade
- 1. Denis Buckley
- 2. Shane Delahunt
- 3. Finlay Bealham
- 4. Josh Murphy
- 5. Niall Murray
- 6. Oisín Dowling
- 7. Conor Oliver
- 8. Cian Prendergast
Replacements
- 16. Dave Heffernan
- 17. Peter Dooley
- 18. Dominic Robertson-McCoy
- 19. Shamus Hurley-Langton
- 20. Jarrad Butler
- 21. Kieran Marmion
- 22. David Hawkshaw
- 23. Adam Byrne
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