Milestone occasion for Mayo man as Connacht face Leinster in big interpro clash
Ballina man Dave Heffernan will make his 200th appearance for Connacht Rugby when they take on Leinster in the BKT United Rugby Championship interpro with Leinster in Dublin this week.
This milestone appearance for Heffernan comes 12 years after he made his debut for his home province, and he will become just the eighth Connacht player to reach the milestone.
The game tomorrow (Friday) evening will also be memorable for two other players, Shane Mallon and Santiago Cordero.
Academy back three player Mallon has been handed a debut for his home province, with the Leitrim man named on the left wing, while Cordero makes his first Connacht start at full-back.
Heffernan takes his place in the front row alongside Peter Dooley and Finlay Bealham, while Niall Murray comes into the second row to partner Joe Joyce. In the back row, Cian Prendergast and Sean Jansen are retained, with Conor Oliver named at openside flanker.
Caolin Blade and captain Jack Carty start at half-back, while there’s a centre partnership of Cathal Forde and David Hawkshaw. Shane Jennings completes the side on the right wing.
Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins commented: “For Dave Heffernan to be making his 200th Connacht appearance and Shane Mallon his first typifies the Connacht ethos of developing local players who understand how special it is to play for this province.
“Dave and Shane’s families, friends and local communities can be very proud of their respective milestones.
“We must ensure we deliver a top-class performance tomorrow evening not only to mark the occasion for these men, but also to ensure our season marches on beyond this weekend and reward our fantastic supporters who have given us so much energy and belief across the season.”
Wilkins continued: “Although disappointed we have put ourselves in a position where we are relying on other results to secure our place in the URC top eight, there is no greater incentive for a performance than an away game against Leinster.
“Both the rivalry and the connections between the two provinces are special, and we have approached this week with excitement, focus and determination.”
The Connacht team in full for the match, which kicks off at 7.35 p.m. in the RDS Arena, is as follows: Santiago Cordero, Shane Jennings, David Hawkshaw, Cathal Forde, Shane Mallon, Jack Carty, Caolin Blade; Peter Dooley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Joe Joyce, Niall Murray, Cian Prendergast, Conor Oliver, Sean Jansen.
The replacements on the bench are: Dylan Tierney-Martin, Denis Buckley, Jack Aungier, Darragh Murray, Seán O’Brien, Colm Reilly, Byron Ralston, Tom Daly.
Tomorrow's game will be the final one at the RDS Arena before redevelopment of the venue commences.