Connacht make changes to face Leinster

Andy Friend has made five changes to the Connacht starting XV for tomorrow’s eagerly awaited BKT United Rugby Championship clash with Leinster at The Sportsground.

Four of those changes come in the pack where Peter Dooley, Niall Murray, Josh Murphy and Paul Boyle all come into the side. While there’s also a first start of the season for scrum-half Colm Reilly.

Dooley is joined by Dave Heffernan and Finlay Bealham in the front row while lock Gavin Thornbury completes the tight five. Shamus Hurley-Langton moves to open-side flanker with Murphy at #6 and Boyle at #8.

The rest of the squad is unchanged meaning Jack Carty, David Hawkshaw and Conor Fitzgerald all start at out-half, inside-centre and full-back. Byron Ralston, Mack Hansen and John Porch complete the side.

"Last Friday’s victory over Munster saw a much improved overall performance by us that is far more aligned to what we know we’re capable of as a team” explained Director of Rugby Andy Friend.

“We now have to use that as a springboard for the rest of the season. Tomorrow is another brilliant opportunity to test ourselves against some of the best in Europe”.

“The atmosphere at The Sportsground last week was incredible and I know that our supporters will give us the same again and more tomorrow night."

The management team have kept to a 6:2 split on the bench with the fit-again Caolin Blade and Academy graduate Ciaran Booth among the options.