Andy Friend has announced 14 changes to the Connacht side to face Munster on Sunday from the team which beat Ulster last weekend.
There’s an inaugural start for powerful number 8 Abraham Papali’i. The New Zealander signed from the Bay of Plenty and forms a back row with Conor Oliver and Eoghan Masterson who is the only player retained from last week.
“Our key objective in these two games has always been to give players some much needed game-time” explained Andy Friend.
“While putting in two positive performances which reflects the work they’ve put in as a squad these past few months. Thankfully we’ve so far managed to do that after last week’s excellent result“.
“Now is an opportunity for a new group of players to impress so I’m looking forward to seeing them in action” added Friend.
“Interpros against our neighbours Munster are always keenly contested and Sunday will be no different.”
“They have a Guinness PRO14 semi-final to clinch but we’ll be looking to end our 2019/20 campaign on a high. We’ve also got two players making their Connacht debuts in Sammy Arnold and Abraham Papali’i so it’ll be a special occasion for them.”
Arnold makes his first Connacht appearance at outside-centre. The Irish international arrived in the summer and his debut comes against the side he joined from.
Quinn Roux captains the side having recovered from injury to take his place in the second row alongside Niall Murray, with Paddy McAllister, Shane Delahunt and Dominic Robertson-McCoy completing the pack.
Sunday’s half-back pairing consists of Caolin Blade and Conor Fitzgerald, while Arnold will be partnered in the centre by Tom Daly.
The experienced Tiernan O’Halloran and Matt Healy are included in the back three, while there’s also a first appearance for Colm de Buitléar since January 2019.
The winger from Carraroe played four times during 2018/19 while in the Connacht Academy, but hasn’t featured since suffering a serious achilles injury in the 2019/20 pre-season.
Connacht:Tiernan O’Halloran, Colm de Buitléar, Sammy Arnold, Tom Daly, Matt Healy, Conor Fitzgerald, Caolin Blade, Paddy McAllister, Shane Delahunt, Dominic Robertson-McCoy, Niall Murray, Quinn Roux (C), Eoghan Masterson, Conor Oliver,Abraham Papali’i
Replacements: Jonny Murphy, Conor Kenny, Matthew Burke, Ultan Dillane, Seán Masterson, Stephen Kerins, Peter Robb, Conor Dean
Connacht v Munster
Sunday 30th August - Aviva Stadium
Kick-off: 3pm
