PAT LAM HAS made just one change for Connacht’s sold-out Pro12 semi-final against the Glasgow Warriors tomorrow (6.30pm), bringing Eoin McKeon back into the side which beat the Scots a fortnight ago.
McKeon replaces Sean O’Brien on the blindside for the historic clash at the Sportsground, Connacht’s first-ever appearance in the league play-offs.
The western province edged a tight 14-7 win to clinch home advantage when the sides met in the final round of the regular season, and Lam expects an even tougher test from the star-studded visitors tomorrow.
“We are under no illusions when it comes to the challenge we face against the defending champions Glasgow who are stacked with players with plenty of experience of Test match and knockout rugby,” Lam said.
“We know they will be much stronger than they were two weeks ago but if we channel our physicality and the excitement into our game, we will be able to meet that challenge head on.”
Henry Pyrgos returns from injury to take his place at scrum-half for Glasgow, while Scottish international duo Mark Bennett and Zander Fagerson, and Italy’s Simone Favaro are also restored to the starting XV.
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Lam said: “It’s an exciting time for everyone involved in Connacht Rugby as we head into our first ever Pro12 semi-final.
“The reason we’ve had such a good record at home this season is the special atmosphere generated by our supporters and we’re all looking to give them another special day to remember in our last home game of the season.”
Connacht
15. Tiernan O’Halloran
14. Niyi Adeolokun
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Bundee Aki
11. Matt Healy
10. AJ MacGinty
9. Kieran Marmion
1. Ronan Loughney
2. Tom McCartney
3. Finlay Bealham
4. Ultan Dillane
5. Aly Muldowney
6. Eoin McKeon
7. Jake Heenan
8. John Muldoon (captain)
Replacements:
16. Dave Heffernan
17. JP Cooney
18. Rodney Ah You
19. Andrew Browne
20. Sean O’Brien
21. John Cooney
22. Shane O’Leary
23. Peter Robb
Glasgow Warriors
15. Stuart Hogg
14. Tommy Seymour
13. Mark Bennett
12. Peter Horne
11. Sean Lamont
10. Finn Russell
9. Henry Pyrgos
1. Gordon Reid
2. Fraser Brown
3. Zander Fagerson
4. Leone Nakarawa
5. Jonny Gray (captain)
6. Ryan Wilson
7. Simone Favaro
8. Josh Strauss
Replacements:
16. Pat MacArthur
17. Ryan Grant
18. D’arcy Rae
19. Tim Swinson
20. Adam Ashe
21. Grayson Hart
22. Duncan Weir
23. Taqele Naiyaravoro
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Lam targets one more 'special day' as he names Connacht team for sold-out Pro12 semi
PAT LAM HAS made just one change for Connacht’s sold-out Pro12 semi-final against the Glasgow Warriors tomorrow (6.30pm), bringing Eoin McKeon back into the side which beat the Scots a fortnight ago.
McKeon replaces Sean O’Brien on the blindside for the historic clash at the Sportsground, Connacht’s first-ever appearance in the league play-offs.
The western province edged a tight 14-7 win to clinch home advantage when the sides met in the final round of the regular season, and Lam expects an even tougher test from the star-studded visitors tomorrow.
“We are under no illusions when it comes to the challenge we face against the defending champions Glasgow who are stacked with players with plenty of experience of Test match and knockout rugby,” Lam said.
“We know they will be much stronger than they were two weeks ago but if we channel our physicality and the excitement into our game, we will be able to meet that challenge head on.”
Henry Pyrgos returns from injury to take his place at scrum-half for Glasgow, while Scottish international duo Mark Bennett and Zander Fagerson, and Italy’s Simone Favaro are also restored to the starting XV.
Lam said: “It’s an exciting time for everyone involved in Connacht Rugby as we head into our first ever Pro12 semi-final.
“The reason we’ve had such a good record at home this season is the special atmosphere generated by our supporters and we’re all looking to give them another special day to remember in our last home game of the season.”
Connacht
15. Tiernan O’Halloran
14. Niyi Adeolokun
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Bundee Aki
11. Matt Healy
10. AJ MacGinty
9. Kieran Marmion
1. Ronan Loughney
2. Tom McCartney
3. Finlay Bealham
4. Ultan Dillane
5. Aly Muldowney
6. Eoin McKeon
7. Jake Heenan
8. John Muldoon (captain)
Replacements:
16. Dave Heffernan
17. JP Cooney
18. Rodney Ah You
19. Andrew Browne
20. Sean O’Brien
21. John Cooney
22. Shane O’Leary
23. Peter Robb
Glasgow Warriors
15. Stuart Hogg
14. Tommy Seymour
13. Mark Bennett
12. Peter Horne
11. Sean Lamont
10. Finn Russell
9. Henry Pyrgos
1. Gordon Reid
2. Fraser Brown
3. Zander Fagerson
4. Leone Nakarawa
5. Jonny Gray (captain)
6. Ryan Wilson
7. Simone Favaro
8. Josh Strauss
Replacements:
16. Pat MacArthur
17. Ryan Grant
18. D’arcy Rae
19. Tim Swinson
20. Adam Ashe
21. Grayson Hart
22. Duncan Weir
23. Taqele Naiyaravoro
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Connacht’s Matt Healy adding consistency to try-scoring threat
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Guinness PRO12 Connacht Final Four pat lam Sportsground Glasgow Warriors