CONNACHT HEAD COACH Pat Lam has brought the experience of Mils Muliaina and George Naoupu back into the starting line-up as he aims to finish this Pro12 block with a win.
The league takes another break after this weekend’s round of fixtures with Connacht aiming for a third win from four to solidify their place in the top six.
With just five days between the win over Treviso and tomorrow’s away date with Cardiff Blues, however, winning won’t come easy. Lam has resisted the urge to make wholesale changes Mick Kearney completing the trio of changes as he partners Aly Muldowney in the second row.
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“With another physical challenge away from home,” Lam says, “it’s great to be able to bring in fresh legs up front with Mick (Kearney), George (Naoupu) and Andrew (Browne, on the bench) in addition to the leadership and experience from Mils (Muliaina) out the back.
“Like every game from now until the end of the season, four points against Cardiff is massively important in the context of our ultimate goal.”
Connacht team v Cardiff (KO Friday, 19.35 – TG4)
15. Mils Muliaina
14. Tiernan O’Halloran
13. Danie Poolman
12. Dave McSharry
11. Matt Healy
10. Craig Ronaldson
9. John Cooney
1. Denis Buckley
2. Tom McCartney
3. Rodney Ah You
4. Mick Kearney
5. Aly Muldowney
6. John Muldoon (captain)
7. Jake Heenan
8. George Naoupu
Replacements:
16. Shane Delahunt
17. Ronan Loughney
18. Finlay Bealham
19. Andrew Browne
20. Eoghan Masterson
21. Ian Porter
22. Jack Carty
23. Darragh Leader
Muliaina back as Connacht make just three changes on five-day turnaround
CONNACHT HEAD COACH Pat Lam has brought the experience of Mils Muliaina and George Naoupu back into the starting line-up as he aims to finish this Pro12 block with a win.
The league takes another break after this weekend’s round of fixtures with Connacht aiming for a third win from four to solidify their place in the top six.
With just five days between the win over Treviso and tomorrow’s away date with Cardiff Blues, however, winning won’t come easy. Lam has resisted the urge to make wholesale changes Mick Kearney completing the trio of changes as he partners Aly Muldowney in the second row.
“With another physical challenge away from home,” Lam says, “it’s great to be able to bring in fresh legs up front with Mick (Kearney), George (Naoupu) and Andrew (Browne, on the bench) in addition to the leadership and experience from Mils (Muliaina) out the back.
“Like every game from now until the end of the season, four points against Cardiff is massively important in the context of our ultimate goal.”
Connacht team v Cardiff (KO Friday, 19.35 – TG4)
15. Mils Muliaina
14. Tiernan O’Halloran
13. Danie Poolman
12. Dave McSharry
11. Matt Healy
10. Craig Ronaldson
9. John Cooney
1. Denis Buckley
2. Tom McCartney
3. Rodney Ah You
4. Mick Kearney
5. Aly Muldowney
6. John Muldoon (captain)
7. Jake Heenan
8. George Naoupu
Replacements:
16. Shane Delahunt
17. Ronan Loughney
18. Finlay Bealham
19. Andrew Browne
20. Eoghan Masterson
21. Ian Porter
22. Jack Carty
23. Darragh Leader
Originally published at 13.10
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