Mayo man in Connacht team for historic game against Leinster
There's one Mayo man in the Connacht starting XV for tomorrow’s historic BKT United Rugby Championship meeting with Leinster at a sold-out Dexcom Stadium (k.o. 5.30 p.m.).
Harry West retains his place at centre following last's week's big win over Montauban as an all-time record attendance of over 12,000 will be in Dexcom Stadium for the official opening of the new Clan Stand, which provides supporters with state-of-the-art facilities across three floors, with standing, seating and hospitality offerings.
Lancaster has selected a squad that shows just three changes from the side that comprehensively defeated Montauban last week. Two changes are in the half-backs, with a new pairing of the fit-again Caolin Blade and Josh Ioane at nine and 10 respectively, while Dylan Tierney-Martin named at hooker after Dave Heffernan, another Mayo native, was ruled out due to injury.
Cian Prendergast will lead the team out from blindside flanker in a powerful looking back row with Paul Boyle and Sean Jansen. Josh Murphy and Darragh Murray continue in the second row, while academy prop Billy Bohan starts alongside Dylan Tierney-Martin and Sam Illo in the front row.
West will be partnered by Cathal Forde at centre after impressive displays in the Challenge Cup, with the back three of wingers Finn Treacy and Shane Jennings and full-back Sam Gilbert retained as well.
There’s plenty of experience due to come off the bench, with Denis Buckley, Jack Carty and Bundee Aki all included.
Looking ahead to the game, Connacht head coach Stuart Lancaster said: “The importance of tomorrow isn’t lost on us. It’s a very special day for the supporters and the whole province of Connacht as we start a new era in the new Clan Stand in front of a record attendance at Dexcom Stadium.
“The fans have been fantastic during the redevelopment, but having 6,000+ on that side of the ground again – and the energy they will give the players – is a massive boost for us.
“It’s obviously a very important game in its own right. We’ve seen growth in the squad in the last few weeks and ever-increasing performances, but we now need to reach another level again if we’re to beat what will be a very strong Leinster side.
“With Denis, Jack and Bundee all available off the bench, I’m sure they will use all their experience to make a real impact as it will need the full 80-minute performance from the whole squad.”
The Connacht squad in full is as follows: Sam Gilbert, Shane Jennings, Harry West, Cathal Forde, Finn Treacy, Josh Ioane, Caolin Blade; Billy Bohan, Dylan Tierney-Martin, Sam Illo, Josh Murphy, Darragh Murray, Cian Prendergast, Paul Boyle, Sean Jansen. The replacements are: Eoin de Buitléar, Denis Buckley, Jack Aungier, Joe Joyce, Sean O’Brien, Ben Murphy, Jack Carty, Bundee Aki.