Three British & Irish Lions players have been named in Connacht’s starting XV for Friday night’s Vodacom URC clash against the Bulls in Galway.
The return of Finlay Bealham, Bundee Aki and Mack Hansen provides a major boost for the Irish province ahead of what coach Stuart Lancaster expects to be a “huge test” at The Sportsground.
Bealham packs down at tighthead prop, Aki starts at inside centre and Hansen – normally on the wing – lines up at fullback.
Cian Prendergast again captains the side and shifts to openside flank, with Josh Murphy and Sean Jansen completing the loose trio.
Darragh Murray partners David O’Connor in the second row, while Peter Dooley and Dave Heffernan join Bealham in the front row.
Scrumhalf Caolin Blade and flyhalf Josh Ioane return to steer the attack, with Byron Ralston partnering Aki in midfield and Shayne Bolton and Chay Mullins out wide.
Lancaster said the returning stars and a vocal home crowd could make the difference against the South Africans.
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“The Bulls are a formidable side, with a strong blend of power up front and pace in the back field,” Lancaster said. “They were URC finalists for a reason last year, and we’re expecting a response after their defeat in Ulster last week.”
Kick-off is at 8:45pm (SA time).
CONNACHT – 15 Mack Hansen, 14 Chay Mullins, 13 Byron Ralston, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Shayne Bolton, 10 Josh Ioane, 9 Caolin Blade, 8 Sean Jansen, 7 Cian Prendergast (c), 6 Josh Murphy, 5 David O’Connor, 4 Darragh Murray, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Dave Heffernan, 1 Peter Dooley.
Bench: 16 Dylan Tierney-Martin, 17 Jordan Duggan, 18 Jack Aungier, 19 Joe Joyce, 20 Seán O’Brien, 21 Matthew Devine, 22 Sean Naughton, 23 Cathal Forde.
Photo: Seb Daly/Sportsfile via Getty Images
The post Connacht’s Lions to battle Bulls appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Three British & Irish Lions players have been named in Connacht’s starting XV for Friday night’s Vodacom URC clash against the Bulls in Galway.
The post Connacht’s Lions to battle Bulls appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
