Connacht and Ulster will play each tomorrow night at the Sportsground in Galway in the United Rugby Championship (7.35pm)
A number of internationals will play for both sides
Starting with Connacht, Tiernan O’Halloran, John Porch, Mack Hansen make up a back three.
A centre partnership of Tom Farrell and Bundee Aki will keep things ticking in the middle.
At halfbacks Jack Carty and Caolin Blade start at outhalf and scrum half.
The front row three is Denis Buckley, Shane Delahunt, and Finlay Bealham
Behind them in the second row Josh Murphy and Niall Murray start.
Finally the backrow Oisín Dowling,, Conor Oliver, and Cian Prendergast completet the team.
Andy Friend says: “We all realise the importance of tomorrow’s game in our aims for a top 8 finish this season. We’ve a number of players returning to us after a break, and have also included a few players in the 23 who impressed in the Challenge Cup, so there’s a good mix in our matchday squad.
Games against Ulster are always hugely intense, so the winners will be the ones who front up for the full 80 minutes. With a large crowd behind us and everyone in the Christmas spirit it’s sure to be a great occasion”.
Tickets for the game can be found below.
🟢 𝙏𝙀𝘼𝙈 𝘼𝙉𝙉𝙊𝙐𝙉𝘾𝙀𝙈𝙀𝙉𝙏 🟢
Here's your squad representing Connacht in tomorrow's *vital* #BKTURC interpro with @UlsterRugby 🙌
Tickets: https://t.co/mXZ0kRteR8
Story: https://t.co/uGAQz12g3C pic.twitter.com/f2x5wOoT7Y— Connacht Rugby (@connachtrugby) December 22, 2022
Connacht:
Fullback: 15. Tiernan O’Halloran
Winger:14. John Porch
Centres: 13. Tom Farrell, 12. Bundee Aki
Winger: 11. Mack Hansen
Outhalf: 10. Jack Carty (capt) Scumhalf: 9. Caolin Blade
Front row: 1. Denis Buckley, 2. Shane Delahunt, 3. Finlay Bealham
Second row: 4. Josh Murphy, 5. Niall Murray
Backrow: 6. Oisín Dowling, 7. Conor Oliver, 8. Cian Prendergast.
Replacements: Dave Heffernan, Peter Dooley, Dominic Robertson-McCoy, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Jarrad Butler, Kieran Marmion, David Hawkshaw, Adam Byrne.
Ulster
Ulster head coach Dan McFarland has selected a strong side for the derby against Connacht on Friday.
Rob Lyttle, Ethan McIlroy and Mike Lowry make up a back three for Ulster
A midfield pairing of Luke Marshall and Stuart McCloskey start.
The halfbacks at 10 and 9 are Nathan Doak and John Cooney.
The front row: consists of Rory Sutherland, Tom Stewart, and Marty Moore.
Behind them in the second row: is Alan O’Connor and Iain Henderson, who captains the side.
The backrow will be David McCann, Marcus Rea, and Nick Timoney.
Assistant Coach, Dan Soper said, “This game was always going to be a big challenge. Connacht have found a rich vein of form of late, and it will be our first time at The Sportsground on the new surface.
“We don’t have any option other than to face up to it. It’s an Interpro, and we’ve had some really tough battles against Connacht. I expect this week to be exactly the same.”
Your Ulster team to face Connacht tomorrow night at The Sportsground! 👊#BKTURC pic.twitter.com/v5LgPrpbkZ
— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) December 22, 2022
Ulster
Fullback: 15. Mike Lowry
Winger: 14 Ethan McIlroy
Centres: 13. Luke Marshall, 12. Stuart McCloskey
Winger: 11: Rob Lyttle
Outhalf: 10. Nathan Doak,Scrumhalf: 9. John Cooney
Front row: 1. Rory Sutherland, 2. Tom Stewart, 3. Marty Moore
Second row: 4. Alan O’Connor, 5. Iain Henderson (capt)
Backrow: 6. David McCann, 7. Marcus Rea, 8. Nick Timoney
Replacements: John Andrew, Eric O’Sullivan, Gareth Milasinovich, Sam Carter, Greg Jones, Dave Shanahan, Jake Flannery, Stewart Moore.
