FINLAY BEALHAM WILL make his first Connacht appearance of the season when they face the Sharks in the United Rugby Championship this Saturday.
The Ireland international is one of eight changes to the XV for the clash in Durban after representing Ireland at the World Cup.
In the second row, Oisin Dowling and Joe Joyce have got the nod while Cian Prendergast, captain Conor Oliver and Sean O’Brien are set to start in an unchanged back row following last week’s 25-22 defeat away to Edinburgh.
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Here's your Connacht 23 for tomorrow, captained by Conor Oliver and including the returning Finlay Bealham 🙌#SHAvCON | #BKTURC
Head coach Pete Wilkins explained about Belham’s return: “He has brought great energy as well as international quality to the group. Elsewhere our team selection represents a blend of those that have delivered significant performances for us across the first four games of the URC season.
“The quality of our bench will be a crucial element in what we expect to be a physical and fast-paced game in hot conditions.”
Colm Reilly and JJ Hanrahan have been selected as a new half-back pairing, but for the fourth game this season Cathal Forde and Tom Farrell are in the centre. Byron Ralston will operate on the wing with Andrew Smith and Tiernan O’Halloran in the back three.
Connacht
15. Tiernan O’Halloran
14. Byron Ralston
13. Tom Farrell
12. Cathal Forde
11. Andrew Smith
10. JJ Hanrahan
9. Colm Reilly
1. Denis Buckley
2. Tadgh McElroy
3. Finlay Bealham
4. Oisín Dowling
5. Joe Joyce
6. Cian Prendergast
7. Conor Oliver (65) (captain)
8. Sean O’Brien
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Bealham returns to give Connacht new dimension for Sharks clash
FINLAY BEALHAM WILL make his first Connacht appearance of the season when they face the Sharks in the United Rugby Championship this Saturday.
The Ireland international is one of eight changes to the XV for the clash in Durban after representing Ireland at the World Cup.
In the second row, Oisin Dowling and Joe Joyce have got the nod while Cian Prendergast, captain Conor Oliver and Sean O’Brien are set to start in an unchanged back row following last week’s 25-22 defeat away to Edinburgh.
Head coach Pete Wilkins explained about Belham’s return: “He has brought great energy as well as international quality to the group. Elsewhere our team selection represents a blend of those that have delivered significant performances for us across the first four games of the URC season.
“The quality of our bench will be a crucial element in what we expect to be a physical and fast-paced game in hot conditions.”
Colm Reilly and JJ Hanrahan have been selected as a new half-back pairing, but for the fourth game this season Cathal Forde and Tom Farrell are in the centre. Byron Ralston will operate on the wing with Andrew Smith and Tiernan O’Halloran in the back three.
Connacht
Get instant updates on your province on The 42 app. With Laya Healthcare, official health and wellbeing partner to Leinster, Munster and Connacht Rugby.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Connacht finlay bealham Team news