Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins has named his side for tomorrow’s BKT United Rugby Championship interpro away to Leinster at the Aviva Stadium (k/o 5.30pm).
International trio Bundee Aki, Mack Hansen and Finlay Bealham all start for the first time since the November internationals, with two other players named in that Ireland squad - captain Cian Prendergast and Dave Heffernan - also in the starting XV.
Elsewhere Josh Ioane returns from injury to play for the first time since the end of October – he lines out at out-half with Ben Murphy alongside him at scrum-half.
Denis Buckley completes a vastly experienced front row with Heffernan and Bealham, while Josh Murphy moves to the second row to partner Darragh Murray. The in-form Paul Boyle starts at number eight, with Shamus Hurley-Langton as openside flanker.
In the backs, Cathal Forde moves to the #13 jersey alongside Aki, Piers O’Conor also returns from injury to start at full-back, and winger Shane Jennings completes the side.
The coaching team have opted for a 6:2 split on the bench with Sean Jansen returning from suspension, Santiago Cordero covering the back field and Conor Oliver again wearing #23.
CONNACHT RUGBY MATCHDAY 23 VS LEINSTER RUGBY
17:30, Saturday 21st December 2024 @ Aviva Stadium
Number/Name/Caps
- Piers O’Conor (7)
14. Mack Hansen (36)
13. Cathal Forde (40)
12. Bundee Aki (142)
11. Shane Jennings (17)
10. Josh Ioane (5)
9. Ben Murphy (7)
1. Denis Buckley (256)
2. Dave Heffernan (206)
3. Finlay Bealham (209)
4. Josh Murphy (24)
5. Darragh Murray (31)
6. Cian Prendergast (75) (C)
7. Shamus Hurley-Langton (45)
8. Paul Boyle (101) - Dylan Tierney-Martin (44)
17. Jordan Duggan (52)
18. Jack Aungier (73)
19. Oisín Dowling (65)
20. Sean Jansen (12)
21. Caolin Blade (200)
22. Santiago Cordero (11)
23. Conor Oliver (90)
