CONNACHT ARE MINUS their four internationals as they face Zebre in the Challenge Cup at Dexcom Stadium tomorrow at 8pm (Premier Sports 1).
As was flagged on Tuesday, Mack Hansen, Bundee Aki, Finlay Bealham and Cian Prendergast have been given this week off after the Autumn internationals and do not feature in the matchday 23.
There are milestones for Caolin Blade and Paul Boyle, with the players making their 200th and 100th appearances for the province.
Boyle will line out as co-captain for the game, with Cathal Forde.
🟢 𝙏𝙀𝘼𝙈 𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 🦅
— Connacht Rugby (@connachtrugby) December 6, 2024
Ready for the Challenge tomorrow at Dexcom Stadium ✊
🔗 https://t.co/j412Ne0Lqb
Caolin Blade 2⃣0⃣0⃣ 🧢
Paul Boyle 1⃣0⃣0⃣🧢
Chay Mullins debut 🟢🦅
Academy players Fiachna Barrett and Sean Naughton in line for potential debuts#OneConnacht pic.twitter.com/dm3gUB1LWA
Elsewhere there’s a debut Chay Mullins, who has been named to start on the right wing. Mullins joined the Connacht Academy setup in 2022 and signed his first pro contract in the summer, before representing the Ireland Sevens at the Paris Olympics.
He lines out in a back three of full-back Shane Jennings and Santiago Cordero on the opposite wing, with David Hawkshaw at No 13 having impressed off the bench last week, while Jack Carty continues at out-half.
In the forwards, Jack Aungier keeps his place at tighthead while loosehead Jordan Duggan and hooker Dylan Tierney-Martin start, and there’s a new-look second row of Darragh Murray and Oisín Dowling. Last year’s Connacht Player of the Year Shamus Hurley-Langton makes his first start of the campaign at openside flanker, with Josh Murphy on the opposite flank.
💜T E A M L I ST💛
— Zebre Parma 🦓 (@ZebreParma) December 6, 2024
🏉Round 1 @epcr_challengecup
🆚 @connachtrugby
📌Sabato 7 Dicembre
⏰20:00
🏟️Dexcom Stadium, Galway
▶️Streaming https://t.co/SgcZz2MX1z#ChallengeCup #CONvZEB #WeAreZebre pic.twitter.com/x32o1Mlk77
There are two further potential debutants on the bench, both of whom are Connacht natives in the Academy setup. Tighthead prop Fiachna Barrett from Geesala, Co Mayo is named in the matchday squad for the first time, as well as Galway native out-half Seán Naughton.
Also on the bench is Oisín McCormack who could feature for the first time since making his debut two years ago.
Connacht
15. Shane Jennings
14. Chay Mullins
13. David Hawkshaw
12. Cathal Forde
11. Santiago Cordero
10. Jack Carty
9. Caolin Blade
1. Jordan Duggan
2. Dylan Tierney-Martin
3. Jack Aungier
4. Darragh Murray
5. Oisín Dowling
6. Josh Murphy
7. Shamus Hurley-Langton
8. Paul Boyle
Replacements:
16. Eoin de Buitléar
17. Temi Lasisi
18. Fiachna Barrett
19. David O’Connor
20. Oisín McCormack
21. Matthew Devine
22. Sean Naughton
23. Byron Ralston
Why does Cian Prendergast need a rest. He hardly played during Nov.
@Andrew: because the rest of squad had a break during autumn international to rest and recuperate. They normally take holidays etc so connacht gave it to their internationals for these games to have them fit for next block
The front-row bench is perhaps the most extraordinary element in that selection. de Butler, Lasisi & Barrett, in with no sign of Dooley, or Heffernan. Interesting call and I hope they come through with big performances.
@Des Lamont: Peter,is injured. A tear in his calf
@Des Lamont: Its not the most extraordinary element in the selection for me.
@Ray Ridge: As sure as night follows day Ray will have something negative to say!
@Patrick Kennedy: Now that is good. There see I said something positive.
Should be a walk in the park . Would imagine if the opposition was stronger these internationals would not get the week’s break especially given this is a home game.
@Stuart: Anything but. Think Connacht is going to get crushed
@Fintan O’Halloran: If they get crushed at home to Zebre, they may pack it in altogether.
@Ray Ridge: Munster must be already packed so
An article on some of the non Irish games would be good or like an initial roundup like bath vs LA Rochelle tonight ..probably game of the weekend ..should be a cracker ?
@Stuart: Bristol v Leinster game of the weekend for me closely followed by Bath v La Rochelle. Should be great game Stuart. Don’t be surprised if Bath win this.
@Ray Ridge: absolutely two great games up, fancy bath too by a whisker but jeez that LR pack..Thomas the tank better be up for this .
@Stuart: Thomas the tank would nearly take on that Rochelle pack on his own. What a player.
@Stuart: Spencer and Lawrence and the weather changes everything Stuart. Advantage Rochelle big time now.
@Ray Ridge: LR monstering bath upfront , that mail try was a thing if beauty …LR style suits the weather big-time ..absorb any pressure through excellent defence and use that pack who look unstoppable inside bath 22…la Rochelle are classy outfit. .play very clever rugby and are strong all over the park
@Stuart: this could get ugly…honestly I was way wrong on how I thought this would be close…
John Porch totally out of favour. Anyway hopefully a good start to the campaign tomorrow
Does anyone actually care about the Challenge Cup ? It’s absolutely dross but I suppose that’s where Connaught belong
@5sZl1dX2: Don’t worry Harry, Munster will be there next year!
@Patrick Kennedy: I’m hearing that for the last 5 or 6 seasons, I’ll believe it when I see it
@5sZl1dX2: Connacht are a better side than Munster now…that must really grate you Harry. Even with the fact Munster have a far greater financial backing and they still are trailing little ole Connacht.