Andy Friend’s Connacht aim for their second win of their South Africa tour when they face Cell C Sharks in Durban tomorrow.
There are six changes from the side that beat the Lions last week, with Finlay Bealham, Gavin Thornbury, Leva Fifita, Conor Oliver, Conor Fitzgerald and Tom Farrell all brought into the starting XV.
Bealham forms an experienced front row with Denis Buckley and Dave Heffernan, while Jarrad Butler captains the side from number 8 with Cian Prendergast at blindside flanker.
It’s an historic game for Monivea scrum-half Caolin Blade who reaches 150 appearances for the club, while Tom Daly partners Farrell at centre.
The back three is unchanged so Mack Hansen again starts at full-back with wingers Alex Wootton and John Porch for company.
"Beating all four South African teams would be a tremendous achievement but we’re full aware we’ve a significant task ahead of us tomorrow” said Andy Friend. “The Sharks have named a side full of Springbok internationals and will have a large and passionate fanbase behind them in Durban”.
“That said, the group has taken huge confidence from the win in Johannesburg and the atmosphere around the camp all week has been really positive".
Connacht
- Mack Hansen
- John Porch
- Tom Farrell
- Tom Daly
- Alex Wootton
- Conor Fitzgerald
- Caolin Blade
- Denis Buckley
- Dave Heffernan
- Finlay Bealham
- Gavin Thornbury
- Leva Fifita
- Cian Prendergast
- Conor Oliver
- Jarrad Butler (C)
Replacements
- Dylan Tierney-Martin
- Jordan Duggan
- Jack Aungier
- Niall Murray
- Oisín Dowling
- Kieran Marmion
- Jack Carty
- Tiernan O’Halloran
Connacht v Cell C Sharks
Saturday 30th April, 15:05 Irish time / 16:05 local time
Hollywoodbets Kings Park
