Ahead of Connacht Rugby’s round 2 GUINNESS PRO12 clash with Edinburgh Rugby, Head Coach Pat Lam has made three personnel and one positional change from the side that defeated Dragons 16 – 11 last weekend.
Ireland internationals Robbie Henshaw and Kieran Marmion both come into the starting line-up for the Friday night fixture at BT Murrayfield, kick off 7:35pm.
There is a slight reshuffle to the young back line – average age of 22.5 years – as Henshaw takes the number 13 shirt, shifting Darragh Leader to his preferred position of fullback. Ian Porter, who made his Connacht debut at the Sportsground last week, makes way for Marmion who partners Jack Carty at half back.
Up front, Willie Faloon is the only change to the pack coming in at openside flanker to a back row with captain John Muldoon and last week’s try scorer Eoin McKeon.
Aly Muldowney, Craig Ronaldson and Fionn Carr all come on to the bench for tomorrow’s game in the Scottish capital.
Commenting on team selection and the upcoming game, Head Coach Pat Lam said:
“It’s great to have the experience of both Robbie (Henshaw) and Kieran (Marmion) in the starting XV this week. They are both itching to get back into the Connacht shirt and are great additions to our already young and energetic back line.
“While it’s disappointing to be without Jake (Heenan) this week, we are fortunate that Willie (Faloon) can step straight into the Number 7 shirt and do a great job.
“We were pleased with the outcome of last week’s game but we all knew we had a lot of work to do during the week to improve certain areas of our game that let us down. It’s been a quick turnaround for us, leaving on Thursday for Edinburgh, but we know we all have to be on the same page to nail the process that is needed to defeat a very strong Edinburgh team at home especially after their great win over Munster last week.”
Connacht line-up v Edinburgh
15. Darragh Leader
14. Niyi Adeolokun
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Dave McSharry
11. Danie Poolman
10. Jack Carty
9. Kieran Marmion
1. Denis Buckley
2. Dave Heffernan
3. Nathan White
4. Mick Kearney
5. Quinn Roux
6. John Muldoon ©
7. Willie Faloon
8. Eoin McKeon
Replacements:
16. Sean Henry
17. Finlay Bealham
18. Rodney Ah You
19. Aly Muldowney
20. George Naoupu
21. Ian Porter
22. Craig Ronaldson
23. Fionn Carr
Unavailable / Injured: Jason Harris-Wright, Tom McCartney, Andrew Browne, Jake Heenan, Mata Fifita, Bundee Aki, Mils Muliaina, Tiernan O’Halloran, Matt Healy.
Edinburgh v Connacht
At BT Murrayfield, 7:35pm
Live on BBCAlba / TG4
Referee: Gary Conway (IRFU, 2nd competition game)
Assistant Referees: Lloyd Linton, Graeme Marshall (both SRU)
Citing Commissioner: Rob Flockhart (SRU)
TMO: David Changleng (SRU)