Injury denies Mayo man place on Connacht team for Euro game

Connacht Rugby head coach Stuart Lancaster has named his matchday squad for tomorrow’s EPCR Challenge Cup quarterfinal with Montpellier at Septeo Stadium (kick-off 12.30 p.m. Irish time).

Mayo native Dave Heffernan misses out on selection due to injury, with Josh Ioane and Shane Jennings also unavailable due to knocks.

Dylan Tierney-Martin (hooker), Sean Naughton (out-half) and Shayne Bolton (winger), making his first appearance in over three months after recovering from injury, replace the unavailable trio.

The final change to the team that beat the Sharks last week is in the back row, where Paul Boyle starts at number eight, with Josh Murphy set to make an impact off the bench.

Cian Prendergast captains the team from blindside flanker in what will be his 100th appearance for the club. Prendergast made his debut away to Edinburgh in October 2020 and soon became a mainstay in the matchday 23 before being appointed club captain ahead of the 2024/25 season.

The pack is completed by props Billy Bohan and Sam Illo, locks Joe Joyce and Darragh Murray, and the in-form Shamus Hurley-Langton.

In the backs, Matthew Devine continues at scrum-half, Bundee Aki and Cathal Forde start together at centre, and the back three is completed by winger Chay Mullins and full-back Sam Gilbert.

Finlay Bealham is unavailable due to personal reasons so Jack Aungier is named among the replacements.

Looking ahead to the game, Lancaster said: “Knockout European rugby in France is a massive challenge but one we’re really looking forward to. We’ve seen really positive growth within the group these last few months, but we now need to take our performance up another level given how well Montpellier are playing.”

The head coach added: “Cian’s 100th appearance for the club is a huge achievement for him. He leads by his actions on and off the field every day and inspires everyone around him, so he deserves all the accolades he’ll get on what is a very proud day for him and his family.”

The Connacht team in full is as follows: Sam Gilbert, Shayne Bolton, Cathal Forde, Bundee Aki, Chay Mullins, Sean Naughton, Matthew Devine; Billy Bohan, Dylan Tierney-Martin, Sam Illo, Joe Joyce, Darragh Murray, Cian Prendergast, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Paul Boyle.

The subs are: Matthew Victory, Peter Dooley, Jack Aungier, Josh Murphy, Sean O'Brien, Ben Murphy, Jack Carty, John Devine.