The Connacht side to face the Dragons in Wales has been announced by head coach Pete Wilkins today. Wilkins has made four changes to the starting lineup.
Denis Buckley, Gavin Thornbury, Cian Prendergast, and Tiernan O’Halloran start the tie in Wales. Buckley, captain Dave Heffernan, and Finlay Bealham take up matters in the front row, while Joe Joyce partners Thornbury in the engine room. Prendergast completes a forward pack alongside Shamus Hurley-Langton and Conor Oliver.
In the backline, scrum-half Matthew Devine and out-half JJ Hanrahan start. Bundee Aki and Tom Farrell retain their partnership in the midfield. The side is finally completed by a back three of O’Halloran, Shane Jennings, and John Porch.
🟢 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 🦅
The squad named to take on @dragonsrugby in Rodney Parade tomorrow 👊
🫡 Heff captains
🔙 Gav Thornbury returns
Read more: https://t.co/2J5NcAYNuM#ConnachtRugby pic.twitter.com/k0Ph28Hhn0— Connacht Rugby (@connachtrugby) April 26, 2024
Commenting ahead of the game, head coach Pete Wilkins says: "We've had a great training week, so everyone's fully prepared and ready to go. Rodney Parade is always a tough place for visiting teams, and we're fully aware of the importance of us getting a win in the context of the overall season.
"With Denis, Gavin, Cian, and Tiernan coming in, they bring added experience and leadership, which are needed in these types of games. Combined with a consistent selection across the rest of the 23, I'm confident we have a squad capable of coming home with the win.”
CONNACHT RUGBY MATCHDAY 23 VS DRAGONS RFC
20:00, Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Rodney Parade
Connacht Lineup vs. Dragons:
Starting XV:
- Back Three: Tiernan O’Halloran, Shane Jennings, and John Porch
- Centres: Bundee Aki, Tom Farrell
- Half-backs: JJ Hanrahan, Matthew Devine
- Front Row: Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, and Finlay Bealham
- Second Row: Joe Joyce, Gavin Thornbury
- Back Row: Shamus Hurley-Langton, Conor Oliver, and Cian Prendergast
Replacements:
- Dylan Tierney-Martin, Peter Dooley, Sam Illo, Oisín Dowling, Jarrad Butler, Caolin Blade, Cathal Forde, and Paul Boyle
