CONNACHT HAVE NAMED their team to take on Ulster tomorrow in the Kingspan Stadium. John Porch, Peter Sullivan and Alex Wootton comprise the back three; Tom Daly – back after a three month injury layoff is in midfield beside Sam Arnold with Conor Fitzgerald also returning to partner Kieran Marmion at half-back.
Fitzgerald was superb in Connacht’s Rainbow Cup win last season in Belfast – while Marmion was a shining light for the province during last week’s miserable defeat to Glasgow.
In the pack, Denis Buckley is partnered by Shane Delahunt and Tietie Tuimauga in the front row – Buckley having fond memories of his trip to Belfast in 2018, when he schooled Tom O’Toole in a memorable win for the westerners.
Niall Murray and Oisín Dowling, superb all season, come back into the starting XV as the preferred locks with Cian Prendergast, Conor Oliver and Jarrad Butler together in the back row. Prendergast has been released from international duty.
Tom Daly returns for Connacht.
— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) February 3, 2022
Cian Prendergast starts after his stint as a development player in Ireland camp. pic.twitter.com/H2OHhCmQiD
Connacht Rugby Head Coach Andy Friend said: “We’ve had an honest week with difficult conversations about what happened last weekend. The performance wasn’t nearly good enough and we need to see a major improvement tomorrow against a strong Ulster team who are on a good run of form. We’re welcoming back a number of players for various reasons which is always a plus, and we can take confidence from a good record up in Belfast the last few years.”
Connacht Rugby: John Porch, Peter Sullivan, Sammy Arnold, Tom Daly, Alex Wootton, Conor Fitzgerald, Kieran Marmion, Denis Buckley, Shane Delahunt, Tietie Tuimauga, Niall Murray, Oisín Dowling, Cian Prendergast, Conor Oliver, Jarrad Butler (CAPT)
Replacements: Jonny Murphy, Jordan Duggan, Greg McGrath, Leva Fifita, Paul Boyle, Colm Reilly, Cathal Forde, Oran McNulty
Absolutely baffled how half a season Howe is ahead of Moyes or Arteta.
The English at it again.
@Seàn Pòl O’Maolain: def moyes should be ahead of Howe. Mane instead of Saka or if not mane then Ronaldo ahead of Saka
@Cormac Flanagan: u can’t disrespect Artetas achievement either. Youngest squad in PL and about to get 4th with his level of experience is an excellent achievement.
@Seàn Pòl O’Maolain: that’s true I suppose. You’d wonder the criteria for been nominated.
Son for me..terrific player..he has great stats for a team that can be hit or miss.
Saka! Seriously??
Man you actually forget how good Son is. Seems to just play his football in the long grass almost anonymous and is only one goal behind Salah in the charts. Happy to say 2 of the 3 most likely to win it (you’d imagine Salah, Son, KDB) came from Bundesliga beginnings. Prem is obviously superior for a number of reasons, but it’s crazy how the German league is regarded as a ‘farmers league’ by so many, yet it probably produces the best talent for the BPL.
I’d go Son and Vierra. Salah over Mane?? Not sure about that.
@John Quinn: is that the Salah with the most goals and most assists in the league?
@Gareth Keenan: I’m a Liverpool fan and he’s been cat since Egypt missed out on the World Cup. I hope it’s just the new contract on his mind. Mane has got the more important goals and given a full shift in every game. Just my opinion mind.
Here’s hoping either bang in a few in the Cup Finals.
Has to be KDB his playing brilliant stuff in Premier ship.
KDB and Frank
Son for me. Good attitude, work ethic, and unbelievable skill. Constantly surprised the big big clubs aren’t throwing money at him and spurs to get him. He’d fit into any team.
Saka in there is a bit of a farce. He’s been good but tell me he’s had a better season than DeGea. United would be in 14th without him
@Ray Taff: Saka is 19 years old. He has 11 goals and 6 assists. Pulling the string for an exceptionally young team. Can u name another 19 year old in the premier league that’s better? I can’t! Wonder how good he might be with more exp and a better team supplying him?
@Seàn Pòl O’Maolain: You’ve mentioned 19 years old twice. He’s in there ahead of Mane too who’s been better than Salah in my opinion. Young player of the year I couldn’t argue but this is beyond a joke