IRELAND INTERNATIONALS KIERAN Marmion and Tiernan O’Halloran return to the Connacht team as Pat Lam’s side look to bounce back from a dire defeat to Zebre when they face Edinburgh in the Guinness Pro12 at Myreside tomorrow [KO 7.35pm, TG4].
Scrum-half Marmion and fullback O’Halloran were rested in accordance with the IRFU player management programme as Connacht suffered a damaging loss to Zebre last weekend in Italy, but return tomorrow as two of seven changes to Lam’s XV.
Former Leinster and Munster out-half Steve Crosbie will make his second start for the province in the 10 shirt, while Eoin Griffin comes in at outside centre after making his long-awaited return from injury off the bench last weekend.
Niyi Adeolokun has been picked on the right wing, meaning Danie Poolman moves to the left, while Kiwi prop Dominic Robertson-McCoy comes in at tighthead in place of Finlay Bealham.
Jake Heenan is back from a shin injury to start at openside flanker, which means Eoin McKeon shifts across to the blindside.
This is our third away game in a row and after last week’s game in Italy, we have an opportunity to produce a performance we can be proud of,” said Lam.
“Although we have been creating numerous opportunities to score, it is all about making sure we take those chances tomorrow night.
“Edinburgh are always tough, physical opposition and we are looking forward to a big challenge on our first visit to Myreside.”
Connacht sit seventh in the Pro12 table after last weekend’s defeat, now 11 points behind sixth-placed Glasgow. Cardiff Blues are just two points behind the westerners.
Meanwhile, former Ulster and Ireland U20 wing Rory Scholes has been named in Edinburgh’s XV, as the Scots make six changes.
Connacht (v Edinburgh):
15. Tiernan O’Halloran
14. Niyi Adeolokun
13. Eoin Griffin
12. Bundee Aki
11. Danie Poolman
10. Steve Crosbie
9. Kieran Marmion
1. Denis Buckley
2. Tom McCartney
3. Dominic Robertson-McCoy
4. Quinn Roux
5. Andrew Browne
6. Eoin McKeon
7. Jake Heenan
8. John Muldoon (captain)
Replacements:
16. Shane Delahunt
17. JP Cooney
18. Finlay Bealham
19. James Cannon
20. Sean O’Brien
21. Caolin Blade
22. Jack Carty
23. Josh Rowland
Edinburgh:
15. Glenn Bryce
14. Damien Hoyland
13. Chris Dean
12. Phil Burleigh
11. Rory Scholes
10. Duncan Weir
9. Nathan Fowles
1. Murray McCallum
2. Ross Ford (captain)
3. Simon Berghan
4. Fraser McKenzie
5. Ben Toolis
6. Viliame Mata
7. Hamish Watson
8. Cornell du Preez
Replacements:
16. Stuart McInally
17. Derrick Appiah
18. Kevin Bryce
19. Grant Gilchrist
20. Jamie Ritchie
21. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne
22. Tom Brown
23. Junior Rasolea
This stinks of “Jobs for the Boys” to b honest. Has Micko done much at underage/schools/club level (genuine question)?
Denis.List’s his experience right there in the article. Leinster have made a similar appointment with Cullen next season
And Cullen will be working with the Senior squad, Micko is looking after the A side.
Micko hopefully can pass on his great technical knowledge especially lineout work. As you say thou the back’s coach appointment is the crucial one
With POC still in situ ,it’s really hard to see what MOD could possibly bring after a stint coaching at schools level. This smacks of a very Munster job for one of the boys
Not a fan of players that r just retired nd then fall in coaching same players….can cloud decisions., for example is mick goin to recommend a player that he was great friends with to be dropped if his form is poor….???
He is retired 2 seasons at this stage. A big turnover of the player’s at munster since then.
He is retired 2 seasons at this stage. A big turnover of the player’s at munster since then.
Yea retired two years but not too many guys he wouldnt have trained or played with.It could be a great appointment but personally I wouldnt agree.
The impressive Rob Penney was shafted by the Munster Rugby board in order to make way for their good old boy, Anthony Foley, to become head coach; who in turn is intent on employing his good old boys instead of seeking the direct input of those with an enlightened, outside perspective. Group-think will now prevail.
Munster will be the big loser because Foley won’t have the same progressive-minded outlook and plan that Penney has. Munster will regress into their shell under Anthony Foley, and the slack will be compensated for by utter blarney from Foley and the media.
As a Leinster fan I hope your wrong.
If insider knowledge points to foley knowing something that mod can bring then there’s nothing wrong with appointing the right man for the job. If he’s giving his old pal a leg up it will fall apart along with his own career.
I don’t believe Anthony foley wants to throw away his carreer to give his mate a job.
Penney wasnt shafted.
Micko is looking after the a’s. Not first team. Might have little to do with the seniors.
Must be a pisser for Penny to see next years coaching ticket been lined up , could this be announced by Munster after Pennys gone ..
They let the cat out of the bag early enough this year bout him moving. Why should nexus years coaching ticket be any different? I’m sure he doesn’t hold a grudge.
Hope I’m wrong but has a ” jobs for the boys” ring to it
Micko being linked to the A squad hints fairly strongly that Ian costello could be the backs coach for the seniors.
this time last year there was howls about the fact that not one province had a native head-coach, now there’s howls when a native is appointed head coach & opts to select another native to be part of his coaching team?
Micko was known as a top-notch lineout analyst in his playing days, he had a very large part to play in the strength of the munster lineout in the past as he analysed the opposition lineouts & ran those patterns in training.