Mayo man retained in Connacht team for Sharks clash
Connacht Rugby head coach Stuart Lancaster has made a number of changes to his matchday squad for today's EPCR Challenge Cup round of 16 clash with Hollywoodbets Sharks at Dexcom Stadium (kick-off 8 p.m.), but Mayo native Dave Heffernan retains his place in the starting XV.
The Ballina man is flanked in the front row by Billy Bohan and Sam Illo, while Cian Prendergast returns from a down-week to captain the side from the number eight position, with Josh Murphy and Shamus Hurley-Langton making up the rest of the back row. Joe Joyce comes back into the side to partner Darragh Murray in the second row.
Matthew Devine starts at scrum-half after his try-scoring cameo off the bench last week, with Josh Ioane alongside him.
The final two changes see Chay Mullins replace the injured Finn Treacy on the left wing and Sam Gilbert start at full-back having missed the last two games through injury.
Bundee Aki and Cathal Forde continue at centre, and right winger Shane Jennings completes the side.
The coaching team have returned to a 5:3 split on the bench, which includes Lion Finlay Bealham and academy graduate backs Colm Reilly, Sean Naughton and John Devine.
A win this evening would send Connacht through to a quarterfinal meeting either away to Montpellier or home to Perpignan next weekend.
Looking ahead to the contest, Lancaster said: “This is a change of focus for us but one we’re really looking forward to. There’s always an edge to knockout rugby, especially against a South African side like the Sharks, who have x-factor quality across the pitch and a new and motivated coaching team.
“The support of the fans has played a big part in this winning run we’ve been on, so I’m sure we’ll see more of that brilliant support again tomorrow as we aim to go deep in the competition.”
The Connacht starting XV in full is as follows: Sam Gilbert, Shane Jennings, Cathal Forde, Bundee Aki, Chay Mullins, Josh Ioane, Matthew Devine; Billy Bohan, Dave Heffernan, Sam Illo, Joe Joyce, Darragh Murray, Josh Murphy, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Cian Prendergast.
On the replacements' bench are: Dylan Tierney-Martin, Peter Dooley, Finlay Bealham, Niall Murray, Paul Boyle, Colm Reilly, Sean Naughton, John Devine.