CONNACHT COACH PAT Lam has made six changes to his side for tomorrow’s Pro12 clash away to Scarlets (19.35, TG4).
Five of the additions to the team who trailed 22 – 10 to Zebre last weekend, before the match was abandoned during a thunderstorm, are Irish internationals. The return of influential openside Jake Heenan completes the reshuffle.
Ultan Dillane joins Heenan in the back row, with Quinn Roux partnering Andrew Browne as lock.
Finlay Bealham’s return at tighthead edges JP Cooney onto the bench, but it’s behind the scrum where Connacht will hope to find the spark to earn their first points as defending champions and a first win at Parc y Scarlets.
Matt Healy starts in his favoured left wing slot, reuniting the back three that caused so much havoc in the latter stages of last season.
Kieran Marmion starts as Jack Carty’s half-back partner with Caolin Blade, Shane O’Leary and Cian Kelleher the backs held in reserve.
Connacht (v Scarlets):
15. Tiernan O’Halloran
14. Niyi Adeolokun
13. Bundee Aki
12. Eoin Griffin
11. Matt Healy
10. Jack Carty
9. Kieran Marmion
1. Denis Buckley
2. Tom McCartney
3. Finlay Bealham
4. Quinn Roux
5. Andrew Browne
6. Ultan Dillane
7. Jake Heenan
8. John Muldoon (captain)
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