A number of changes have been made to the starting Connacht lineup for this weekend’s game, after a disappointing outing against Leinster.
Connacht have been boosted by a number of returning players for this Saturday’s away game against Benetton in the URC.
Long-term absentees Gavin Thornbury and Dylan Tierney-Martin are back with the squad, taking their place on the replacements, but with the expectation that will feature in the game.
Thornbury, who was one of Connacht’s stand-out players in 2020/21, has yet to play this season due to a long-term shoulder injury.
Similarly Tierney-Martin has been absent for four months following a hamstring injury in a club game.
Irish internationals Finlay Bealham and Mack Hansen have also been welcomed back into the fold, with the pair coming straight into the starting XV.
Bundee Aki is also back from his international obligations, but having only resumed training on Tuesday, is not in the lineup for tomorrow.
Bealham is joined by Matthew Burke and Dave Heffernan in the front row, while the other change in the pack sees Leva Fifita come in to partner Niall Murray in the second row.
The back row sees Paul Boyle start at number 8 alongside flankers Cian Prendergast and Conor Oliver.
Captain Jack Carty is again alongside Kieran Marmion in the half-backs, while Sammy Arnold comes in at inside-centre to partner Tom Farrell.
Hansen is named on the left wing with John Porch on the right wing and Tiernan O’Halloran at full back.
Head Coach Andy Friend said that the return of Finlay, Mack, Dylan and Gavin is a “welcome boost” at the right time for the province.
“For Gavin and Dylan in particular they’ve worked incredibly hard to get back to full fitness for this key block of games, supported by our excellent medical team.”
“We fully appreciate the challenges we face in reaching the URC playoffs now, but the best preparation we can have for the Champions Cup games is to go to Italy, put in a performance good enough for a win, and keep ourselves in the hunt for a top 8 finish.”
Speaking earlier this week, Friend acknowledged that they’re “licking out wounds again” heading to Benetton.
But he said that despite this, and while wary of the Italians’ strengths, he knows what the team is capable of, and that they can get a win.
Connacht and Benetton will meet at Stadio Monigo this Saturday, April 2
Number/Name/Caps
15. Tiernan O’Halloran (202)
14. John Porch (53)
13. Tom Farrell (74)
12. Sammy Arnold (34)
11. Mack Hansen (9)
10. Jack Carty (174) (C)
9. Kieran Marmion (203)
1. Matthew Burke (35)
2. Dave Heffernan (159)
3. Finlay Bealham (169)
4. Niall Murray (31)
5. Leva Fifita (10)
6. Cian Prendergast (25)
7. Conor Oliver (36)
8. Paul Boyle (71)
Replacements
16. Dylan Tierney-Martin (1)
17. Greg McGrath (5)
18. Tietie Tuimauga (8)
19. Gavin Thornbury (58)
20. Abraham Papali’i (21)
21. Caolin Blade (145)
22. Conor Fitzgerald (47)
23. Sean Masterson (16)
