CONNACHT HAVE MADE five changes to their side that lost to Munster at MacHale Park for Saturdayโs Challenge Cup last-16 clash with Cardiff at Dexcom Stadium (8pm, Premier Sports).
Stand-in head coach Cullie Tucker welcomes back Shayne Bolton on the right wing with Ireland international Mack Hansen starting at fullback against the Welsh region.
Tucker has named a new half-back pairing of Matthew Devine and JJ Hanrahan, with Caolin Blade and Josh Ioane covering from a 5-3 bench.
There are two changes to Connachtโs pack, with Oisรญn Dowling coming into the second row and Josh Murphy starting in place of captain Cian Prendergast.
Hooker Dave Heffernan is named as skipper as Prendergast recovers from the head injury he suffered against Munster.
Connacht (v Cardiff)
15. Mack Hansen
14. Shayne Bolton
13. Hugh Gavin
12. Bundee Aki
11. Finn Treacy
10. JJ Hanrahan
9. Matthew Devine
1. Jordan Duggan
2. Dave Heffernan (Captain)
3. Finlay Bealham
4. Oisรญn Dowling
5. Darragh Murray
6. Josh Murphy
7. Shamus Hurley-Langton
8. Sean Jansen
Replacements:
16. Dylan Tierney-Martin
17. Denis Buckley
18. Jack Aungier
19. Niall Murray
20. Paul Boyle
21. Caolin Blade
22. Josh Ioane
23. Piers OโConor
Cardiff
Y Tรฎm | The Team ๐ Connacht
โ Cardiff Rugby (@Cardiff_Rugby) April 4, 2025
๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ Four Wales stars return
8๏ธโฃ Changes in total to starting XV
ยฉ๏ธ Liam Belcher also back at captain
#YmlaenCaerdydd ๐ตโซ๏ธ
๐ https://t.co/QcZju1K5Sj pic.twitter.com/7Mm09vAUyP
It was always so striking how average he was on tour and how outstanding he was in the ryder cup
@Joe Bloggs: striking? Seems to be his main m at the moment.
@The don: *problem
@Joe Bloggs: He wasnโt average. Pablo Larrazabal was average, Damien McGrane was average. Poulter won as many tournaments as anyone over the last 10-15 years, and contended in majors. Flash tw*t though.
@Armchair Follower: joe couldnโt agree moe, he certainly wasnโt average. Heโs won 12 european competitions
Well heโs finally been proven right. He really is at Tigerโs level now.
Iโd have more sympathy for him if he was as modest as luke Donald or Paul Casey! Himself and Lee Westwood have a certain arrogance!
Heโll get plenty of invites iโm sure, so plenty of chances to get it back!
Heโs always got his Social Media to fall back on :)
Graeme McDowell still plays golf?!