CONNACHT BOSS ANDY Friend has made four changes to his starting XV for tomorrow night’s Guinness Pro14 visit to Edinburgh [KO 7.35pm, eir sport] but will be without Dave Heffernan and Ultan Dillane, who both remain on international duty with Ireland.
Dillane and Heffernan have stayed with Andy Farrell’s Ireland squad for tomorrow’s training day but are not part of the Irish matchday 23 to face England on Sunday.
As Connacht look to back up last weekend’s convincing win over Cardiff Blues on home soil, head coach Friend has made all four changes in the starting pack.
Denis Buckley and Shane Delahunt come in at loosehead prop and hooker, respectively, while Joe Maksymiw and academy man Niall Murray – set for just his second senior start – are in the second row as Gavin Thornbury misses out through injury.
Otherwise, Friend is sticking with the team that recorded a 29-0 win in Galway last weekend, with Ireland internationals Kieran Marmion and Jack Carty again steering the ship in the halfbacks.
Meanwhile, Conference B leaders Edinburgh have made five changes to the team that beat Scarlets away from home last weekend, with Stan South making his debut in the second row after a recent move from Exeter Chiefs.
Connacht:
15 . Tiernan O’Halloran
14. Niyi Adeolokun
13. Kyle Godwin
12. Peter Robb
11. John Porch
10. Jack Carty
9. Kieran Marmion
1. Denis Buckley
2. Shane Delahunt
3. Finlay Bealham
4. Niall Murray
5. Joe Maksymiw
6. Paul Boyle
7. Colby Fainga’a
8. Jarrad Butler (captain)
Replacements:
16. Jonny Murphy
17. Paddy McAllister
18. Dominic Robertson-McCoy
19. Eoghan Masterson
20. Eoin McKeon
21. Caolin Blade
22. Conor Fitzgerald
23. Tom Daly
Edinburgh:
15. Damien Hoyland
14. Eroni Sau
13. Mark Bennett
12. Matt Scott
11. Duhan van der Merwe
10. Simon Hickey
9. Nic Groom (captain)
1. Pierre Schoeman
2. Mike Willemse
3. Simon Berghan
4. Stan South
5. Lewis Carmichael
6. Nick Haining
7. Luke Crosbie
8. Viliame Mata
Replacements:
16. Cameron Fenton
17. Murray McCallum
18. Dan Winning
19. Jamie Hodgson
20. John Barclay
21. Charlie Shiel
22. Jaco van der Walt
23. George Taylor
I think considering the circumstances, Dillane could have been relased
@jay bernard: wouldn’t look good for Andy Farrell if one of the starting locks picks up
an injury and Dillane is playing with Connacht
Even if Gallagher was fit it would be something. Would any other province be left with one squad lock and one academy lock? Surely they should be allowed a medical joker? This is a huge game in regards the pool too
That weakened second row likely to cost Connacht you’d think? Murray is still very raw and even though Maksymiw has shown up more this season together they are big step down from Dillane, Roux and Thornbury.
I haven’t seen Jonny Murphy this season I think? I’ll be interested to see how he goes when he comes in, I guess a lot of that will depend on how the game is going at that point.
Interesting to see Eoghan Masterson back on the bench, no word on whether he is extending his contract or throwing his lot in with Scotland?
@Darragh Murray: absolutely will, squad wise Edinburgh have a massive edge especially at home. Murray is talentrd but physically a couple of years away from being ready for this level. Really disappointed that Copeland is yet again not listed in a Connacht squad. Utter waste of talent, at his best he should have been pushing Heaslip for the Ireland jersey but since Cardiff he’s been real flanker injury / attitude wise…
Edinburgh are a top top side even without their international contingent. Can’t see anything other than an Edinburgh win.
Copeland injured?
@s mc: isn’t he always? Either that or again out-of-favour, although I’d have thought he could have done a job in the second row for this one. Connacht unlikely to beat Edinburgh away with Maksymiw and Murray at second row.
@David Finn:
I like Murray as a player but he is still fierce light… Bundi weights more than him and he is 8 inches taller. I think he is only a few months out of playing for the U20 this season again…
I think Joe is improving but he is in tough position that our main three 2nd rows are international class. Thornbury has everything but the cap, injury has been his curse.
IT is a big game for the two of them but they are surrounded with our best and they can make a name for themselves. Good Luck…
Jesus, that’s a big Edinburgh pack compare to Connaughts.
@Harry O’Callaghan:
Connacht is giving away an average of a stone a man…. Second rows alone are giving over 5 stone… Lineouts and open field running lads, less of the scrums..