CONNACHT HEAD COACH Andy Friend has boosted by the return of captain Jarrad Butler in much more familiar looking line-up for Sunday’s Heineken Champions Cup pool 5 clash away to Gloucester (kick-off 1pm, BT Sport).
Although the western province have been dealt a blow with a training ground injury to Matt Healy, Butler is named as number 8 behind an experienced pack headed up by Denis Buckley, Tom McCartney and Finlay Bealham.
In all, there are eight changes to the starting line-up from the side who gave Toulouse a scare two weeks ago. Niyi Adeolokun comes in in place of Healy, with the in-form John Porch switching to fullback.
Bundee Aki and Peter Robb form a powerful midfield axis for Jack Carty and Caolin Blade to provide for.
Blade will be deputised by Stephen Kerins wth Kieran Marmion unable to shake off his back issue.
Gloucester
15. Tom Marshall
14. Louis Rees-Zammit
13. Chris Harris
12. Mark Atkinson
11. Ollie Thorley
10. Danny Cipriani
9. Joe Simpson
1. Val Rapava Ruskin
2. Franco Marais
3. Fraser Balmain
4. Gerbrandt Grobler
5. Franco Mostert
6. Ruan Ackermann
7. Jake Polledri
8. Ben Morgan Capt
Replacements:
16. Todd Gleave
17. Josh Hohneck
18. Jamal Ford-Robinson
19. Alex Craig
20. Lewis Ludlow
21. Callum Braley
22. Billy Twelvetrees
23. Matt Banahan
Connacht Rugby
15. John Porch
14. Niyi Adeolokun
13. Bundee Aki
12. Peter Robb
11. Kyle Godwin
10. Jack Carty
9. Caolin Blade
1. Denis Buckley
2. Tom McCartney
3. Finlay Bealham
4. Joe Maksymiw
5. Quinn Roux
6. Eoghan Masterson
7. Colby Fainga’a
8. Jarrad Butler Capt
Replacements:
16. Jonny Murphy
17. Matthew Burke
18. Dominic Robertson-McCoy
19. Ultan Dillane
20. Robin Copeland
21. Stephen Kerins
22. Conor Fitzgerald
23. Tom Daly
If any player can deal with the pressure of being captain it’s this guy!
He is one dangerous looking man in that photo. I’m not sure if he should be made captain yet. Have a 6 nations run first maybe.
…..there will be a ‘changing of the guard’ needed in Irish rugby soon with some brilliant players who have served the cause well put out to pasture. Rightly it should be sooner rather than later. . Can see AF giving himself a couple of games, even a full 6N, to position his squad for the inevitable heave that has to come.At that point putting young Ryan in charge should be considered.
@Michael Murray: Hopefully we will all recognise the necessary rebuilding process for what it is and accept a fee bad results in the 6 Nations along the way.
I have my doubts. These pages can make for harsh criticism at times.
@Paul Ennis: ….agree and ill-informed criticism at that.