LAST UPDATE | 10 Dec 2021
CONNACHT HEAD COACH Andy Friend has been forced to adjust his starting XV for Sunday’s Champions Cup clash with Stade Francais (kick-off 1pm, the Sportsground).
The original selection saw five changes to last week’s side as Shane Delahunt came into the starting XV, forming a front row with props Matthew Burke and Finlay Bealham. There’s a new look second row of Oisín Dowling and Niall Murray, while Cian Prendergast is also named in the squad, starting at blindside flanker with Conor Oliver and number 8 Jarrad Butler alongside him.
At centre Shayne Bolton came back into the side, starting at number 13 with Sammy Arnold on the inside. The rest of the backs – at that stage – were unchanged with Kieran Marmion picked alongside captain Jack Carty, and a back three of wingers Mack Hansen and Alex Wootton, and full-back Oran McNulty.
However, following training today, a Connacht statement revealed a number of adjustments. Firstly Hansen, their star player this season, was withdrawn with John Porch, their very talented winger, coming in to replace him. Secondly, scrum-half Marmion is now on the bench with Caolin Blade coming into the starting XV. There is further change in the squad with Eoghan Masterson replacing Leva Fifita among the replacements while Diarmuid Kilgallen comes into the match day 23 as cover for the back three.
Friend is excited by the impending return of Heineken Champions Cup rugby in front of spectators: “Sunday is the start of a really exciting opportunity for us to make an impact in the Champions Cup.
“Knockout rugby in the competition is the aim so a win this weekend is vital if we want to get there, albeit against a very strong Stade Francais team. There’s been some special occasions at our home in this competition so with a strong Sportsground crowd behind us it’s set up to be a great occasion.”
CONNACHT RUGBY MATCHDAY 23 VS STADE FRANCAIS
Number/Name/Caps
15. Oran McNulty (4)
14. Alex Wootton (24)
13. Shayne Bolton (1)
12. Sammy Arnold (22)
11. John Porch (44)
10. Jack Carty (166) (C)
9. Caolin Blade (137)
1. Matthew Burke (30)
2. Shane Delahunt (107)
3. Finlay Bealham (166)
4. Oisín Dowling (12)
5. Niall Murray (22)
6. Cian Prendergast (15)
7. Conor Oliver (27)
8. Jarrad Butler (80)
Replacements
16. Dave Heffernan (151)
17. Jordan Duggan (19)
18. Dominic Robertson-McCoy (69)
19. Eoghan Masterson (115)
20. Seán Masterson (14)
21. Kieran Marmion (193)
22. Conor Fitzgerald (41)
23. Tom Farrell (66)
