Mayo man on bench as Connacht welcome Stormers for URC opener

Connacht Rugby head coach Stuart Lancaster has named his matchday 23 for the BKT United Rugby Championship season opener with DHL Stormers at Dexcom Stadium this evening (Friday, 7.45 p.m.).

Mayo man Fiachna Barrett is among the replacements as Connacht deal with missing players through Irish selection and injury but have still put a strong squad together for the encounter.

After missing over 11 months of action, long-term absentee Mack Hansen is named to start having come through pre-season without issue.

The other big news is the inclusion of loosehead prop Francois van Wyk who, will make his Connacht debut, while academy back rower Max Flynn will also make his debut if called upon, with the Galway native included among the replacements.

Paul Boyle captains the side from number eight, with flankers Sean O’Brien and Shamus Hurley-Langton alongside him.

Van Wyk is named in a front row of Eoin de Buitléar and Finlay Bealham, while Niall Murray and Josh Murphy form the second row pairing.

In the backs, Ben Murphy and Josh Ioane form the half-back combo, while Cathal Forde starts at inside centre having recovered from the injury that kept him out of the end of last season.

Outside centre John Devine, winger Finn Treacy and full-back Sam Gilbert complete the side.

Commenting on his team selection, Lancaster said: “It’s great to finally get the season going after a long but positive pre-season. We feel like we’ve prepared well and now we’re looking forward to putting our best foot forward in front of our home supporters.

“Mack’s inclusion is obviously a big boost, and it’ll be a proud day for Francois and Max too. We’re missing a good few through Irish selection and injury but it’s a strong 23, who we know will have to front up physically against what we’re expecting to be a strong Stormers side, who are well coached and have a good mix of power and pace.”

The Connacht starting XV in full is as follows: Sam Gilbert, Mack Hansen, John Devine, Cathal Forde, Finn Treacy, Josh Ioane, Ben Murphy; Francois van Wyk, Eoin de Buitléar, Finlay Bealham, Niall Murray, Josh Murphy, Sean O’Brien, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Paul Boyle.

On the replacements' bench are: Matthew Victory, Jordan Duggan, Fiachna Barrett, David O’Connor, Max Flynn, Caolin Blade, Sean Naughton, Shayne Bolton.