Connacht have announced their team lineup for this weekend’s Interpro against Ulster, which fans can watch live at home.
Connacht are headed to Kingspan Stadium this Friday for their last BKT United Rugby Championship game of the year, with kick-off at 7:35pm.
Mack Hansen returns to the starting XV this weekend after missing last week’s game due to injury. He starts at full back with Shayne Bolton and Byron Ralston on the wings.
Including Hansen, there are seven changes overall to the starting team that faced Saracens last weekend.
The front row has been completely swapped out with Denis Buckley, Tadgh McElroy and Finlay Bealham in. Joe Joyce comes in to partner Darragh Murray in the second row while in the back row, Shamus Hurley-Langton and Sean O’Brien are in.
Head Coach Pete Wilkins said that there is always a buzz around the squad when it comes time for an Interpro game, and that this is no different.
“Ulster will be high on confidence after their European win last week and will be relishing another game at home, but we are fully aware of what it takes to compete against them in that environment and everyone is looking forward to the game.”
He said that the matchday 23 has enough consistency to “build on the positives” of their Saracens performance, while also bringing fresh “energy and physicality” to the game.
For those who can’t make it up to Belfast this weekend, they can watch the game live on TG4’s Rugbaà Beo.
CONNACHT RUGBY MATCHDAY 23 VS ULSTER
19:35, Friday 22nd December 2023 @ Kingspan Stadium
15. Mack Hansen (30)
14. Shayne Bolton (6)
13. Tom Farrell (104)
12. Bundee Aki (129)
11. Byron Ralston (24)
10. Jack Carty (200) (C)
9. Caolin Blade (179)
1. Denis Buckley (236)
2. Tadgh McElroy (7)
3. Finlay Bealham (194)
4. Darragh Murray (16)
5. Joe Joyce (8)
6. Cian Prendergast (55)
7. Shamus Hurley-Langton (27)
8. Sean O’Brien (4)
16. Dave Heffernan (186)
17. Peter Dooley (25)
18. Jack Aungier (57)
19. Gavin Thornbury (72)
20. Conor Oliver (71)
21. Michael McDonald (2)
22. JJ Hanrahan (8)
23. Shane Jennings (5)
