Friend names squad for pivotal PRO14 clash

Head coach Andy Friend and the Connacht management team have drafted the three representatives in the Ireland Six Nations squad straight into the starting team for tomorrow’s crucial Guinness PRO14 interpro away to Munster (k.o. 7.35 p.m.).

Bundee Aki is retained at centre following his release from Ireland duty last weekend, while Mayo man Dave Heffernan and Ultan Dillane both start at hooker and second row respectively.

In all there are seven changes from the side that secured a last-minute win at Benetton last Friday.

Denis Buckley comes into an experienced front row with Heffernan and Finlay Bealham, while Gavin Thornbury is in the the second row alongside Dillane.

Conor Oliver starts at openside flanker to face his former club, joining captain Jarrad Butler and Paul Boyle to complete the pack.

There’s a new look half-back pairing of Caolin Blade and Jack Carty, while there are also new faces on the wings, with Matt Healy and John Porch coming into the starting line-up. The centres and full-back are unchanged from the Benetton win, with Aki, Tom Daly and Tiernan O’Halloran all retained.

In all, nine of the starting 15 are Connacht centurions as the side look to extend an all-time club record of five straight wins away from home.

Head coach Friend said the importance of the fixture is not lost on the squad. He stated: “We know exactly what we need to do tomorrow night in Limerick. There has been barely any talk of securing Champions Cup qualification because our first objective has always been first place in the Conference B, so all our focus since last weekend has been on getting a win that gives us that fighting chance of a final spot.”

Regarding his team selection, Friend added: “Thankfully we haven’t picked up any major injury worries in our last two games so we’ve a pretty healthy squad apart from our long-term absentees. We’ve named a very experienced starting XV but we’ve made sure to also reward those who showed good form in our last few games. Overall, we’re in a positive place and we’re really looking forward to the challenge.”

Ahead of the game, all Connacht players and management returned negative results in the latest round of PCR testing.

The game will be shown live on eir Sport 1, with coverage starting at 7 p.m. There will be deferred coverage on TG4 and eir Sport 2.