Rising Mayo rugby player in line to make senior competitive debut for Connacht

Rising Mayo rugby player Fiachna Barrett is in line to make his competitive debut at senior level for Connacht this weekend.

The tighthead prop – a native of Geesala in Erris – has been named in the matchday 23 for the first time as Connact prepare to welcome Zebre Parma to the Dexcom Stadium tomorrow (Saturday) for their EPCR Challenge Cup opener.

There is one further potential debutant as out-half Seán Naughton, a Galway native, also takes a seat on the replacements' bench.

Oisín McCormack could also feature for the first time since making his debut two years ago.

Meanwhile, there are major milestones for Caolin Blade and Paul Boyle, making their 200th and 100th appearances for the province respectively.

Monivea native Blade first made his debut in May 2014 and last week scored his 50th try for the club, becoming only the second player after Matt Healy to reach the milestone.

Boyle first played for the club in January 2018, and like Blade has gone on to receive international caps. He will line out as co-captain for the game, with Cathal Forde named as co-captain alongside him.

Elsewhere, there’s a debut for winger Chay Mullins, who has been named to start on the right wing. Mullins joined the Connacht Academy set-up 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 outside centre 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.

Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins commented: “There’s plenty of player milestones happening this week, but first and foremost we’ve named a strong 23 that we feel can start our Challenge Cup campaign on a positive note.

“With Bladey’s 200th, Boyler’s 100th, a debut for Chay and potential debuts for Fiachna and Seán, they’re all deserving landmarks for each of the five lads at various stages of their career. I’m sure they’ll get the reception they deserve from the fans.”

The game is scheduled to kick off at 8 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday, December 7) in Dexcom Stadium, Galway. The Connacht XV in full is: Shane Jennings, Chay Mullins, David Hawkshaw, Cathal Forde, Santiago Cordero, Jack Carty, Caolin Blade; Jordan Duggan, Dylan Tierney-Martin, Jack Aungier, Darragh Murray, Oisín Dowling, Josh Murphy, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Paul Boyle. On the replacements' bench are: Eoin de Buitléar, Temi Lasisi, Fiachna Barrett, David O’Connor, Oisín McCormack, Matthew Devine, Seán Naughton, Byron Ralston.