The Connacht Eagles team, sponsored by NUI Galway, has been named ahead of their departure to face Bristol Rugby in Sunday’s British & Irish Cup opener at Ashton Gate, KO 3pm. Head Coach Nigel Carolan has named a 22-man squad that includes a mixture of senior, Academy and development players.
Academy forward Eoghan Masterson will once again captain the side at number 8 while Connacht centurion Andrew Browne returns from injury for his first competitive game of the season starting in the second row.
Miah Nikora has been handed the reins at outhalf and is joined by Leinster loanee John Cooney in the half back pairing.
This will be the first-ever competitive meeting between 2011 British & Irish Cup winners Bristol Rugby and Connacht Eagles, although Bristol did win a pre-season friendly in Galway 33-24 back on August 8, 2002.
Bristol have reached the knockout stages on three occasions, while the Eagles have been defeated in the opening rounds of their first two tournament appearances. Bristol have yet to lose at Ashton Gate.
Nigel Carolan’s Connacht outfit enter the tournament in good spirits after a dramatic 26-24 win away to Ulster Ravens last Thursday, with replacement outhalf Conor McKeon landing the match-winning conversion.
Speaking about this weekend’s game for which there are five changes to the starting line-up, Carolan said:
“We were happy with our opening day Eagles win against Ulster Ravens but we know Bristol pose an entirely new challenge. They are one of the most progressive teams in the English Championship and that’s been reflected in their unbeaten record that sees them sitting top of the table.
“We’ve trained well during the week ahead of our departure on Saturday and our guys are really looking forward to challenging themselves against quality opposition.
“It’s a tough pool with London Scottish and Pontypridd to come but we have enjoyed playing in this exciting competition the last two years. It’s been invaluable in terms of getting exposure to top class games for both our young and experienced pro players.”
Eagles team to face Bristol
15. Shane Layden
14. Fionn Carr
13. Shane O’Leary
12. Peter Robb
11. Ciaran Gaffney
10. Miah Nikora
9. John Cooney
1. JP Cooney
2. Pat O’Toole
3. Jamie Dever
4. Andrew Browne
5. Danny Qualter
6. Steve McVeigh
7. James Connolly
8. Eoghan Masterson (captain)
Replacements:
16. Jack Dinneen
17. Jacob Walshe
18. Ultan Dillane
19. Cian Romaine
20. Caolin Blade
21. Conor McKeon
22. David Panter
Bristol Rugby team: Jack Wallace; Ryan Edwards, Luke Eves, Mark Cooke, Charlie Amesbury; Adrian Jarvis, Craig Hampson; Kyle Traynor (c), Chris Brooker, James Hall, Ben Glynn, Glen Townson, Nick Koster, Olly Robinson, Marco Mama.
Replacements: Rhys Lawrence, Ellis Genge, Joe Joyce, Josh Ovens, Luke Baldwin, Jack Tovey, Darren Hudson.
Bristol Rugby v Connacht Eagles
Sunday October 12, kick off 3pm
Ashton Gate Stadium