Rodney Ah You returns to the Connacht pack. Ryan Byrne/INPHO
Pro12
Ah You, MacGinty and Ronaldson in for Connacht’s trip to Dragons
After being released by Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt, Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane and Kieran Marmion are on the bench for the clash at Rodney Parade.
CONNACHT HEAD COACH Pat Lam has made three changes to his team for tomorrow night’s Pro12 meeting away to the Newport Gwent Dragons.
The province claimed a bonus point victory from Scarlets at the Sportsground a fornight ago to draw level with them just behind leaders Ulster.
13 of that starting XV keep their places for the trip to Rodney Parade, with AJ MacGinty coming in at outhalf for the injured Jack Carty.
With Rob Henshaw on Ireland duty, Craig Ronaldson is named at 12 with Bundee Aki moving to outside centre, while Rodney Ah You joins the front row.
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Joe Schmidt has released Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane and Kieran Marmion for the game but all three have to settle for spots on the bench.
“With a short week for us in terms of preparation and travel, we began our planning for Dragons before the break and the boys returned on Monday refreshed and eager to get back into their work,” said Lam.
“It’s great to have Kieran (Marmion) Finlay (Bealham) and Ultan (Dillane) back from Irish camp for this game but given that they haven’t trained with us this week, they will add impact from the bench.
“The Dragons are in good form and are playing some great team rugby. It’s clear for us to see that they are a different side to the one we faced at the Sportsground in round 1.
They have already beaten our fellow Irish provinces Munster and Leinster at Rodney Parade and were desperately unlucky to lose in the final minute to Ulster in Belfast last week.
“So we are under no illusions as to how tough the challenge will be in Newport, and in tough conditions. Once again our focus will be on our team work and work ethic on and off the ball to enable us to put in a performance that will continue to keep us in the top four of the competition.”
Connacht XV to play Dragons:
15. Tiernan O’Halloran
14. Danie Poolman
13. Bundee Aki
12. Craig Ronaldson
11. Matt Healy
10. AJ MacGinty
9. Caolin Blade
1. Denis Buckley
2. Tom McCartney
3. Rodney Ah You
4. George Naoupu
5. Aly Muldowney
6. John Muldoon (captain)
7. Jake Heenan
8. Eoghan Masterson
Ah You, MacGinty and Ronaldson in for Connacht’s trip to Dragons
CONNACHT HEAD COACH Pat Lam has made three changes to his team for tomorrow night’s Pro12 meeting away to the Newport Gwent Dragons.
The province claimed a bonus point victory from Scarlets at the Sportsground a fornight ago to draw level with them just behind leaders Ulster.
13 of that starting XV keep their places for the trip to Rodney Parade, with AJ MacGinty coming in at outhalf for the injured Jack Carty.
With Rob Henshaw on Ireland duty, Craig Ronaldson is named at 12 with Bundee Aki moving to outside centre, while Rodney Ah You joins the front row.
Joe Schmidt has released Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane and Kieran Marmion for the game but all three have to settle for spots on the bench.
“With a short week for us in terms of preparation and travel, we began our planning for Dragons before the break and the boys returned on Monday refreshed and eager to get back into their work,” said Lam.
“It’s great to have Kieran (Marmion) Finlay (Bealham) and Ultan (Dillane) back from Irish camp for this game but given that they haven’t trained with us this week, they will add impact from the bench.
“The Dragons are in good form and are playing some great team rugby. It’s clear for us to see that they are a different side to the one we faced at the Sportsground in round 1.
“So we are under no illusions as to how tough the challenge will be in Newport, and in tough conditions. Once again our focus will be on our team work and work ethic on and off the ball to enable us to put in a performance that will continue to keep us in the top four of the competition.”
Connacht XV to play Dragons:
15. Tiernan O’Halloran
14. Danie Poolman
13. Bundee Aki
12. Craig Ronaldson
11. Matt Healy
10. AJ MacGinty
9. Caolin Blade
1. Denis Buckley
2. Tom McCartney
3. Rodney Ah You
4. George Naoupu
5. Aly Muldowney
6. John Muldoon (captain)
7. Jake Heenan
8. Eoghan Masterson
Replacements
16. Dave Heffernan
17. Ronan Loughney
18. Finlay Bealham
19. Ultan Dillane
20. Eoin McKeon
21. Kieran Marmion
22. Peter Robb
23. Rory Parata
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AJ MacGinty Connacht PRo1 Pro12 Rodney Ah You Rodney Parade starting XV