Ireland winger Mack Hansen and new signing Francois van Wyk are named to start for Connacht against the Stormers at The Sportsground on Friday night.
Hansen returns after missing over 11 months of action due to foot injury, having come through pre-season without issue.
The other big news is the inclusion of loosehead prop Van Wyk, who will make his Connacht debut, while academy loose forward Max Flynn is also in line for his maiden appearance as a replacement during the Galway clash.
Paul Boyle will lead the team, with flankers Sean O’Brien and Shamus Hurley-Langton alongside the No 8 in the back row.
Van Wyk is named in a front row of Eoin de Buitléar and Finlay Bealham, while Niall Murray and Josh Murphy form the lock pairing.
Ben Murphy and Josh Ioane link up at halfback, while centres Cathal Forde and John Devine, winger Finn Treacy and fullback Sam Gilbert complete the backline.
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“It’s great to finally get the season going after a long but positive pre-season,” head coach Stuart Lancaster said.
“We feel like we’ve prepared well and now we’re looking forward to putting our best foot forward in front of our home supporters.
“Mack’s inclusion is obviously a big boost for us, and it’ll be a proud day for Francois and Max too.
“We’re missing a good few through Irish selection and injury but it’s a strong 23, who we know will have to front up physically against what we’re expecting to be a strong Stormers side.”
Friday’s two teams both made last season’s URC playoffs and will be going hammer and tongs to open their accounts this week.
The Stormers, inaugural champions in 2021-22, have won four of the last five meetings between these sides, although Connacht won the most recent clash 33-24 in Cape Town on 18 April.
Connacht are on a five-game winning streak at home, but the Stormers were victorious on their last visit to Galway, 16-12, in May 2024. However, the Capetonians have won just one of their last five matches in Ireland.
CONNACHT – 15 Sam Gilbert, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 John Devine, 12 Cathal Forde, 11 Finn Treacy, 10 Josh Ioane, 9 Ben Murphy, 8 Paul Boyle (c), 7 Shamus Hurley-Langton, 6 Seán O’Brien, 5 Josh Murphy, 4 Niall Murray, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Eoin de Buitléar, 1 Francois van Wyk.
Bench: 16 Matthew Victory, 17 Jordan Duggan, 18 Fiachna Barrett, 19 David O’Connor, 20 Max Flynn, 21 Caolin Blade, 22 Seán Naughton, 23 Shayne Bolton.
Photo: Seb Daly/Sportsfile via Getty Images
The post Return of the Mack in Galway appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Ireland winger Mack Hansen and new signing Francois van Wyk are named to start for Connacht against the Stormers at The Sportsground on Friday night.
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