Aki returns for Connacht in Champions Cup clash against full-strength Bordeaux

BUNDEE AKI IS fit to start Connacht’s opening Champions Cup clash with Bordeaux on Friday. 

It will be Aki’s first appearance since Ireland’s World Cup quarter-final defeat to New Zealand, having been sidelined with a hamstring injury. With Aki back, Cathal Forde will shuffle across to outside-centre. 

Mack Hansen, meanwhile, starts at full-back.

Another Irish international, Finlay Bealham, also starts having began last weekend’s defeat to Leinster on the bench.

Caolin Blade and JJ Hanrahan continue their half-back partnership. 

Bordeaux, meanwhile, are bringing their front-line stars to Galway, with Damien Penaud and Mathieu Jalibert included in their starting XV. 

Connacht 

• 15. Mack Hansen 
• 14. Byron Ralston 
• 13. Cathal Forde 
• 12. Bundee Aki 
• 11. Andrew Smith 
• 10. JJ Hanrahan 
• 9. Caolin Blade (C)
• 1. Denis Buckley 
• 2. Dave Heffernan
• 3. Finlay Bealham
• 4. Darragh Murray
• 5. Joe Joyce
• 6. Cian Prendergast
• 7. Shamus Hurley-Langton
• 8. Seán Jansen 

 Replacements

• 16. Tadgh McElroy 
• 17. Peter Dooley
• 18. Jack Aungier
• 19. Niall Murray 
• 20. Conor Oliver 
• 21. Michael McDonald 
• 22. David Hawkshaw 
• 23. John Porch 

Bordeaux 

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Le Centre Commercial Aushopping Bordeaux Lac vous présente les 23 Bordeaux & Blanc qui affronteront le @connachtrugby demain à 21h00 (heure française) !

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