Connacht name team for Ulster Rainbow cup opener

Andy Friend has made three changes to the Connacht team for tomorrow’s Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup interpro with Ulster at Kingspan Stadium.

Two changes come in the backs, where Caolin Blade is promoted to the number 9 shirt and Ben O’Donnell is named on the wing.

The final change is in the front row where Jordan Duggan starts at loosehead.

Otherwise the team is as selected against Leicester in the Challenge Cup, with the experienced duo of Dave Heffernan and Finlay Bealham joining Duggan in the front row, a second row duo of Ultan Dillane and Gavin Thornbury, and a back row consisting of flankers Eoghan Masterson and Conor Oliver, and captain Paul Boyle at number 8.

Jack Carty partners Blade at out-half, Tom Daly and Sean O’Brien continue their centre partnership, and winger Matt Healy and full-back John Porch form the back three with O’Donnell.

“There is still huge disappointment with our Challenge Cup exit and our last few performances” explained Friend, “So this is a game where I’m fully expecting a reaction from the players”.

“This is a new competition for us but as with competition we play in, we’re going out to win it” added Friend.

“Our team selection reflects that and if we play the way I know we can, we’ll give ourselves a great chance of making a positive start to the Rainbow Cup.”

Connacht

15. John Porch
16. Ben O’Donnell
17. Sean O’Brien
18. Tom Daly
19. Matt Healy
20. Jack Carty
21. Caolin Blade

1. Jordan Duggan
2. Dave Heffernan
3. Finlay Bealham
4. Ultan Dillane
5. Gavin Thornbury
6. Eoghan Masterson
7. Conor Oliver
8. Paul Boyle (C)

Replacements

16. Shane Delahunt
17. Matthew Burke
18. Dominic Robertson-McCoy
19. Niall Murray
20. Abraham Papali’i
21. Kieran Marmion
22. Conor Fitzgerald
23. Peter Sullivan

Connacht v Ulster

Friday 23rd April

Kingspan Stadium, kick-off 8.15pm