Connacht Rugby announce squad for Sale Sharks friendly

Connacht Rugby head coach Stuart Lancaster has named an extended 30-man squad for the pre-season friendly against Sale Sharks at Corpacq Stadium. The game will be played tomorrow (Friday), kicking off at 7.30 p.m.

Following a convincing win in last week’s behind-closed-doors friendly in Bristol, the coaching team have opted for a number of changes to ensure maximum playing opportunities for the group ahead of the new season.

Cian Prendergast captains the side and is one of a number of Irish internationals, including Jack Aungier, Darragh Murray and Shayne Bolton, who return to the starting XV having sat out last week’s game, while Ben Murphy is among the replacements.

Following a start at full-back last weekend, academy player Seán Naughton again lines out at number 15, while a further three Academy players – Sean Walsh, Daniel Ryan and Matthew Victory – are among the replacements.

The starting XV in full is as follows: Seán Naughton, Chay Mullins, David Hawkshaw, Cathal Forde, Shayne Bolton, Jack Carty, Caolin Blade; Denis Buckley, Dylan Tierney-Martin, Jack Aungier, Darragh Murray, Josh Murphy, Cian Prendergast, Sean O’Brien, Sean Jansen. Replacements from: Eoin de Buitléar, Jordan Duggan, Sam Illo, Niall Murray, David O’Connor, Paul Boyle, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Ben Murphy, Josh Ioane, Sean Walsh, Byron Ralston, Shane Jennings, Colm Reilly, Daniel Ryan, Matthew Victory.

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