CONNACHT HAVE made five changes to the side that beat Scarlets ahead of tomorrow’s BKT United Rugby Championship meeting with Emirates Lions at Dexcom Stadium (5.15pm).
Prop Denis Buckley, hooker Tadgh McElroy, lock Joe Joyce, flanker Conor Oliver and number 8 Sean O’Brien come into the side.
The backline is unchanged, with scrum-half Caolin Blade captaining the side
Connacht are aiming for their fourth consecutive win in the competition as they bid to secure playoff qualification and a return to next season’s Investec Champions Cup.
Connacht team to face Lions:
15. Tiernan O’Halloran
14. Byron Ralston
13. David Hawkshaw
12. Cathal Forde
11. Andrew Smith
10. JJ Hanrahan
9. Caolin Blade (captain)
1. Denis Buckley
2. Tadgh McElroy
3. Jack Aungier
4. Niall Murray
5. Joe Joyce
6. Cian Prendergast
7. Conor Oliver
8. Sean O’Brien
Substitutes:
16. Dave Heffernan
17. Jordan Duggan
18. Sam Illo
19. Darragh Murray
20. Shamus Hurley-Langton
21. Colm Reilly
22. Jack Carty
23. Paul Boyle
Great to see Paul Boyle back. This guy was on the verge of the International team only for injuries. Better than Dorris on his day.
@Ray Ridge: Says the man who believes Freddie Stewart is the best full back in the world. Boyle has great promise but along way to catch up to Doris,
@John Ludgate: Not that far to go looking at Doris in the last few games. As for Stewart, I think the general consensus is that Borthwick made a mistake by omitting him. For sure, one of the best fullbacks in the game.
@Ray Ridge: Yeah, Farrell hasn’t got a clue – he only played the Doris for the full 80 minutes in all 5 games – for a player that seems to go “missing” during the all “big” games, according to the experts on here, Doris is definitely doing a great job at pulling the wool over Andy’s eyes.
@James: He’s not bad now at all. I’m not saying that. But he certainly ain’t no Ben Earl.
@James: tbf even Doris said in am interview he goes missing in some games and used NZ game as an example. But Boyle is nowhere near his level.
@Ray Ridge: Paul Boyle is a quality player, but seems to have regressed somewhat and has himself admitted he isn’t getting the gametime on the back of his form. Hopefully he recovers it, because he was knocking on the door of Andy Farrell there for a while. Any team would love to have Doris – it’s not anti-Connacht to admit he would start ahead of any one of our current backrowers, Boyle included, were he to decide to come back to his home province.
@Ray Ridge: what drugs are you taking? I would love to sample them
Fair dues to jj, he seems to have secured the starting 10 shirt. I’m delighted for the lad, a quality player
@munsterman: I’m not trying to knock JJ, his goals in games in SA and against Munster were huge for Connacht. But I think its noticeable that he hasn’t been really marshalling attack. A lot of the time plays seem to be called by Blade (with mixed results) or popped to Forde. A few times when Connacht are on the back foot he’s been, and I don’t like saying it, almost anonymous. Its telling Connacht’s more impressive wins like Munster, Ulster, Bristol in Europe, etc have had Carty running and significantly impacting from 10.
Having JJ pick up the points Prendergast, Oliver, etc won in penalties has been invaluable for Connacht though.
Is Gavin thornbury injured?
@Mark Anthony McNally: not that I heard of. I assume it is just squad rotation, or picking the players best suited for the opposition. Both our starting locks have played very well this season.
@Mark Anthony McNally: he’s been playing AIL mostly this season, about his level really
@mWhSNsK2: Very respectful thing to say about a guy who was on the verge of Ireland caps a couple of years ago but unfortunately now doesn’t seem to be at the same level as some awful timed, and downright bad luck injuries have possibly caught up with him.
@Carmine Lorenzo: I don’t really understand the joy Munster fans get coming onto Connacht articles to constantly spout negativity and target players. There is a whole bunch of them. As you mentioned, Thornbury really unfortunate with regards to injury – a fantastic player who has had some awful luck at key times. Would love to see him make a return to the form that had him looking like a near certainty for Ireland caps.
@JoeVlogs: In fairness some fans on this go out of their way to wind up Munster fans. That said: the vitriol some Munster fans have against Connacht on here is baffling.
@Carmine Lorenzo: he’s been playing AIL all season for Blackrock, and from the games I’ve seen, he’s looked bang average when he should be standing out at that level. He’s only had 3 appearances for Connacht so I do think it’s fair to say that he’s found his level
@mWhSNsK2: so a lad who has had man of the match appearances in interpros and Europe over 7 or 8 years, been in Irish squads (pulled twice from matchday over injury), etc. So that isn’t his level? Its to be measured on how he has been in the past 6 months after coming back from consecutive injuries?
Ara c’mon now. I don’t think you believe that yourself.
@David Hickey: this is the same player that is widely rumoured won’t be offered a contract extension at Connacht, last chance saloon. If you want to believe he’s the second coming of Christ, by all means do
@mWhSNsK2: I don’t. And I think he’s race is maybe run. But to say his level was AIL, I won’t agree with.
@JoeVlogs: You’ll make friends anywhere you can for the hate of Munster. Joe.
@JoeVlogs: let’s not tar us all…
@Mark Murphy: don’t worry Mark, you’re one of the best on here. Big fan of your work! And no doubt delighted with an away BP last night.
@JoeVlogs: Very odd alright but think it’s limited to just a handful of wonderfully joyous characters! Back to topic at hand and you’d hope Thornbury can get back to his old self. Arguably one of the most unlucky players playing. Similar to Tom Farrell – always got nasty injury when on verge of international caps. Huge fan of Farrell I hope he can get there again.