Updated on Saturday at 1pm – Peter Robb was named among the replacements but has suffered a hip injury and is replaced by Matt Healy.
The Connacht Rugby team to face Wasps in round 3 of the Champions Cup at the Ricoh Arena on Sunday has been named and features two Roscommon men.
Picture Credit ©INPHO/Donall Farmer
Head coach Pat Lam has made four personnel changes from the side that registered a bonus point win over Benetton Treviso in the Guinness PRO12 six days ago.
Ireland international Niyi Adeolokun returns this week and starts on the right wing, shifting Cian Kelleher over to the left. Kieran Marmion also returns to start in the number 9 shirt while Roscommon’s Jack Carty is restored at outhalf.
Up front, Ultan Dillane returns for his first game since international duty in the November Test Series. Last week’s Man of the Match Tom McCartney will earn his 50th Connacht cap when he runs out in Coventry on Sunday.
Second row James Cannon is not permitted to play in the Champions Cup fixtures against Wasps as part of his contract and release deal from Wasps earlier this season.
Commenting on the team selection and upcoming game, Pat Lam said:
“It’s great to see the return of our internationals who all contributed to a successful and historic Autumn Series for Ireland. They all add to the competition for places which is making our selection meetings even longer.
“The back-to-back window in Champions Cup is always the most testing and the draw hasn’t let us down with this match-up with an in-form Wasps’ side. They are flying high in the Premiership and have not lost a game at home in 2016. To be involved in this type of fixture is exactly what we worked so hard for last year. We are excited by the challenge and opportunity to test ourselves against one of the best teams in Europe.”
The Connacht Rugby squad to face Wasps in full is as follows
(Connacht caps in brackets)
15 Tiernan O’Halloran (111)
14 Niyi Adeolokun (42)
13 Stacey Ili (7)
12 Bundee Aki (51)
11 Cian Kelleher (10)
10 Jack Carty (65)
9 Kieran Marmion (109)
1 Denis Buckley (101)
2 Tom McCartney (49)
3 Conor Carey (8)
4 Ultan Dillane (34)
5 Quinn Roux (40)
6 Nepia Fox-Matamua (11)
7 Jake Heenan (43)
8 John Muldoon (captain) (286)
Replacements:
16 Dave Heffernan (67)
17 JP Cooney (37)
18 Finlay Bealham (65)
19 Sean O’Brien (23)
20 Eoin McKeon (95)
21 Caolin Blade
22 Rory Parata (19)
23 Matt Healy
Kick-off on Sunday is at 1pm.