Buckley reaches 200 appearances for Connacht
Denis Buckley is set to become just the third Connacht player to reach 200 caps when he lines out today against Benetton in the Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup (k.o. 5.15 p.m. Irish time).
The Roscommon prop made his debut for his home province in September 2011, which coincidentally came in the Stadio di Monigo where he will make appearance number 200.
He joins John Muldoon and Michael Swift as the only players to earn a double century of caps for Connacht.
The other notable inclusion is Bundee Aki, making his return to the starting XV. Aki hasn’t featured for Connacht in nearly three months after serving a suspension following Ireland duty, and will now be keen to pick up some game-time before he travels with the British & Irish Lions to South Africa.
Aki partners Tom Daly in the centre, who starts for the 15th consecutive game, while Alex Wootton, Peter Sullivan and John Porch form the back three. The backs are completed by scrum-half Kieran Marmion and out-half Conor Fitzgerald.
Shane Delahunt and Finlay Bealham partner Buckley in the front row, while Niall Murray and Cian Prendergast are retained after excelling away to Munster last time out. Murray partners Ultan Dillane in the second row, while Prendergast is joined in the back row by the returning Paul Boyle and captain Jarrad Butler.
Mayo man Dave Heffernan is among the replacements, where he is joined by the likewise experienced pair of Caolin Blade and Jack Carty as well as Paddy McAllister, Dominic Roberts-McCoy, Oisin Dowling, Abraham Papali'i and Sammy Arnold
Commenting on the team selection, head coach Andy Friend said: “Denis Buckley’s 200th appearance is a huge achievement for him personally and those that helped him along the way. Denis is a consummate professional who has shown determination and loyalty in the 10 years since his debut, and to reach a milestone like this for your home province makes it even sweeter for him.
“It’s also great to welcome Bundee back to our starting XV. We’re playing a Benetton side who will be hugely motivated to hold on to first place in the table, but we’ve still got a lot to play for as well so it should make for a great game.”