Farrell to make 100th Connacht apperance as URC opens

Tom Farrell will become the latest Connacht centurion in Saturday’s BKT United Rugby Championship opener against Ospreys.

Farrell joined Connacht in 2017 from Bedford Blues scoring 19 tries from outside centre.

There’s also debuts for up to six summer signings. While, Joe Joyce, JJ Hanrahan and Andrew Smith are all named in the starting XV. While Tadgh McElroy, Seán O’Brien and Liam McNamara could earn their first Connacht caps if called upon from the bench.

Whereas, the rest of the matchday squad has a settled look to it, with a front row of Denis Buckley, Dylan Tierney-Martin and Jack Aungier. Lock Oisin Dowling partners Joyce, while the backrow sees number 8 Jarrad Butler joined by flankers Cian Prendergast and Shamus Hurley-Langton.

🟢 𝙏𝙀𝘼𝙈 𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 🟢

Your first Connacht 23 for the season! 💪

3⃣ Debutants start
🫡 @CaolinB to captain
💯 Tom Farrell 100th cap

📖 Read more: https://t.co/OH38rA0tvB #ConnachtRugby | @Genesys pic.twitter.com/xeOAGoUeSm

— Connacht Rugby (@connachtrugby) October 20, 2023

Scrum-half Caolin Blade is named as captain, while centre Cathal Forde starts alongside Farrell. Wingers Byron Ralston and Diarmuid Kilgallen complete the side with Smith selected at full-back.

"Firstly it’s great that we’re finally ready to kickstart our season” said head coach Pete Wilkins.

“It’s been 16 weeks since we started pre-season and while in many ways it’s flown, it’s great that we’re now back to what we enjoy most which is competitive rugby”.

“It’ll be a proud day for Tom Farrell and his family when he becomes our latest centurion, and then on the flipside to that we’ve up to six players starting their Connacht careers with us, so there’s a good blend of experience and freshness there”.

“Ospreys are always a challenging opposition. They’ll be extremely physical and well-organised, so it’s up to us to meet that challenge head-on and send the fans home happy."