Stuart Lancaster has called his three lions to the Connacht team for Friday’s URC game with Vodacom Bulls.
Bundee Aki, Finlay Bealham and Mack Hansen are all named in the starting XV. Aki and Bealham play in their usual inside centre and tighthead prop positions respectively, while Hansen lines out at full-back.
“The Bulls are a formidable side, with a strong blend of power up front and pace in the back field” says head coach Stuart Lancaster.
“They were URC finalists for a reason last year, and we’re expecting a response after their defeat in Ulster last week”.
“With the fans behind us, three returning Lions and a much-improved performance, it should make for a great game.”
Connacht look for second win of season
Indeed, Cian Prendergast again captains the side and moves to openside flanker. Josh Murphy on the opposite flank and Sean Jansen at number 8.
Darragh Murray and David O’Connor make up the second row pairing, while prop Peter Dooley and hooker Dave Heffernan complete the forwards.
In the backs, scrum-half Caolin Blade and out-half Josh Ioane return. As does Byron Ralston at 13 to partner Aki. Indeed, completing the side are wingers Shayne Bolton and Chay Mullins.
Whereas, there’s a 5:3 split on the bench with Connacht natives Matthew Devine, Cathal Forde and Sean Naughton covering the backline.
However, Connacht look for their second win of the URC season having beaten Benetton in round one.
Missing out due to injury are Denis Buckley (hamstring), Paul Boyle (shoulder) and Shamus Hurley-Langton (shoulder).
All three are to be further evaluated next week, along with longer term absentees Temi Lasisi (knee), Oisín Dowling (knee) and Niall Murray (ankle).
Connacht: 15. Mack Hansen, 14. Chay Mullins, 13. Byron Ralson, 12. Bundee Aki, 11. Shayne Bolton, 10. Josh Ioane, 9. Caolin Blade, 1. Peter Dooley, 2. Dave Heffernan, 3. Finlay Bealham, 4. Darragh Murray, 5. David O’Connor, 6. Josh Murphy, 7. Cian Prendergast (c), 8. Sean Jansen.
Replacements: 16. Dylan Tierney-Martin, 17. Jordan Duggan, 18. Jack Aungier, 19. Joe Joyce, 20. Seán O’Brien, 21. Matthew Devine, 22. Sean Naughton, 23. Cathal Forde
Connacht v Vodacom Bulls
Friday 17th October
Dexcom Stadium. Kick-off: 7.45pm
