IRELAND INTERNATIONALS KIERAN Marmion and Tiernan O’Halloran return to the Connacht team as Pat Lam’s side look to bounce back from a dire defeat to Zebre when they face Edinburgh in the Guinness Pro12 at Myreside tomorrow [KO 7.35pm, TG4].
Scrum-half Marmion and fullback O’Halloran were rested in accordance with the IRFU player management programme as Connacht suffered a damaging loss to Zebre last weekend in Italy, but return tomorrow as two of seven changes to Lam’s XV.
Former Leinster and Munster out-half Steve Crosbie will make his second start for the province in the 10 shirt, while Eoin Griffin comes in at outside centre after making his long-awaited return from injury off the bench last weekend.
Niyi Adeolokun has been picked on the right wing, meaning Danie Poolman moves to the left, while Kiwi prop Dominic Robertson-McCoy comes in at tighthead in place of Finlay Bealham.
Jake Heenan is back from a shin injury to start at openside flanker, which means Eoin McKeon shifts across to the blindside.
This is our third away game in a row and after last week’s game in Italy, we have an opportunity to produce a performance we can be proud of,” said Lam.
“Although we have been creating numerous opportunities to score, it is all about making sure we take those chances tomorrow night.
“Edinburgh are always tough, physical opposition and we are looking forward to a big challenge on our first visit to Myreside.”
Connacht sit seventh in the Pro12 table after last weekend’s defeat, now 11 points behind sixth-placed Glasgow. Cardiff Blues are just two points behind the westerners.
Meanwhile, former Ulster and Ireland U20 wing Rory Scholes has been named in Edinburgh’s XV, as the Scots make six changes.
Connacht (v Edinburgh):
15. Tiernan O’Halloran
14. Niyi Adeolokun
13. Eoin Griffin
12. Bundee Aki
11. Danie Poolman
10. Steve Crosbie
9. Kieran Marmion
1. Denis Buckley
2. Tom McCartney
3. Dominic Robertson-McCoy
4. Quinn Roux
5. Andrew Browne
6. Eoin McKeon
7. Jake Heenan
8. John Muldoon (captain)
Replacements:
16. Shane Delahunt
17. JP Cooney
18. Finlay Bealham
19. James Cannon
20. Sean O’Brien
21. Caolin Blade
22. Jack Carty
23. Josh Rowland
Edinburgh:
15. Glenn Bryce
14. Damien Hoyland
13. Chris Dean
12. Phil Burleigh
11. Rory Scholes
10. Duncan Weir
9. Nathan Fowles
1. Murray McCallum
2. Ross Ford (captain)
3. Simon Berghan
4. Fraser McKenzie
5. Ben Toolis
6. Viliame Mata
7. Hamish Watson
8. Cornell du Preez
Replacements:
16. Stuart McInally
17. Derrick Appiah
18. Kevin Bryce
19. Grant Gilchrist
20. Jamie Ritchie
21. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne
22. Tom Brown
23. Junior Rasolea
