This Saturday will be a major milestone for Connacht’s Kieran Marmion, as he becomes the province’s fifth player to reach 200 caps.
Connacht are headed to Wales tomorrow for their URC fixture against the Scarlets, which kicks off at 7:35pm.
Marmion started his career with Connacht in 2012, and in the time since then he has enjoyed great success, winning the PRO12 title in 2016 and earning 28 caps for Ireland.
He joins John Muldoon, Michael Swift, Denis Buckley and more recently Tiernan O’Halloran as members of the Connacht 200 club.
He joins John Muldoon, Michael Swift, Denis Buckley and more recently Tiernan O’Halloran as members of the Connacht 200 club.
Head Coach Andy Friend said that this is an historic occasion for Kieran Marmion, and that he is playing some of the best rugby of his career.
“Which is a testament to him and how he looks after himself,” Friend said, adding “Congratulations to him and everyone who helped him on his journey.”
In all there are six changes from the side that lined out against Ulster two weeks ago, with internationals Jack Carty and Dave Heffernan returning from Ireland camp to take their place in the side.
Heffernan starts alongside Jordan Duggan and Tietie Tuimauga in the front row, with locks Niall Murray alongside Leva Fifita. The back-row consists of Paul Boyle at number 8 beside flankers Cian Prendergast and Jarrad Butler.
Tom Daly and Sammy Arnold resume their centre partnership while John Porch, who makes his 50th appearance for the club, moves to the wing with Peter Sullivan on the opposite wing and Tiernan O’Halloran at full-back.
Andy Friend said that after a short break to “reset and recharge the batteries” after the Ulster game, they were back at it training hard at the end of last week.
“We can already tell the break was beneficial, and everyone is really eager to put the last few results behind us and try get a vital win.”
The full Connacht squad for this weekend’s URC game is:
15. Tiernan O’Halloran (200)
14. Peter Sullivan (18)
13. Sammy Arnold (30)
12. Tom Daly (54)
11. John Porch (49)
10. Jack Carty (171) (C)
9. Kieran Marmion (199)
1. Jordan Duggan (23)
2. Dave Heffernan (156)
3. Tietie Tuimauga (5)
4. Niall Murray (27)
5. Leva Fifita (7)
6. Cian Prendergast (21)
7. Jarrad Butler (87)
8. Paul Boyle (67)
Replacements
16. Shane Delahunt (114)
17. Greg McGrath (4)
18. Jack Aungier (23)
19. Eoghan Masterson (118)
20. Abraham Papali’i (18)
21. Caolin Blade (141)
22. Conor Fitzgerald (46)
23. Tom Farrell (70)
