Ahead of tomorrow’s sold-out inter-provincial clash between Connacht and Munster at the Sportsground (7:15pm), Connacht Rugby head coach Pat Lam has made three personnel changes from the starting XV that lined out in France last weekend.
With the injury to Danie Poolman, the back line is reshuffled once again. Top try scorer Matt Healy returns to the left wing with Robbie Henshaw renamed at fullback. Academy centre Peter Robb is handed his sixth start of the season, partnering Bundee Aki in midfield. The half back pairing of Shane O’Leary and Kieran Marmion is retained.
Up front, Aly Muldowney is brought in to partner Irish international Ultan Dillane while Eoin McKeon has recovered from illness to start in the all-Galway-born back row with Sean O’Brien and Player of the Month John Muldoon.
Jason Harris-Wright and Kiltoom’s Jack Carty are new additions to the match day squad with Carty in line to make his first appearance since having his spleen removed ten weeks ago.
Commenting on the team selection and the upcoming game, head coach Pat Lam said:
“Aly (Muldowney) and Eoin (McKeon) come in for us on Saturday and will bring fresh legs and energy having not travelled to France last week.
“It’s another big challenge tomorrow but we’re very excited by it. We have a lot of respect for Munster and what they have achieved. I have no doubt that as province with huge history and pride they will come here with intensity and focus. We will need to continue to channel our work ethic and physicality into our team structures to get the valuable points on offer.
“With the weather promising to hold up, it’s set up to be a cracker of a game – the sort of rugby you want to be playing in front of a big crowd at this time of the season. While we have a lot of young and less experienced players in our side, these are exactly the type of games that will accelerate their continued development and progression as Connacht and Irish rugby players.”
Connacht Rugby team to face Munster, tomorrow (Saturday 16th April), at the Sportsground, 7:15pm
15 Robbie Henshaw
14 Niyi Adeolokun
13 Bundee Aki
12 Peter Robb
11 Matt Healy
10 Shane O’Leary
9 Kieran Marmion
1 Denis Buckley
2 Tom McCartney
3 Finlay Bealham
4 Ultan Dillane
5 Aly Muldowney
6 Sean O’Brien
7 Eoin McKeon
8 John Muldoon (Captain)
Replacements:
16 Jason Harris-Wright
17 Ronan Loughney
18 JP Cooney
19 Andrew Browne
20 James Connolly
21 John Cooney
22 Jack Carty
23 Fionn Carr
The game will be shown live on TG4 and Sky Sports