YEOWWWWW BAIZ!
Head Coach Pat Lam has made four personnel changes to his Connacht side to face Gloucester in the quarter final of the European Challenge Cup.
Ireland international and 6 Nations winner Robbie Henshaw returns to the fray and is named at inside centre in a partnership with the competitions top try scorer Danie Poolman.
Tiernan O’Halloran shifts to the right wing to facilitate Mils Muliaina who is reinstated at fullback after missing out last week with injury.
Up front, South African Quinn Roux is named in a second row with Aly Muldowney. There’s also a reshuffle in the back row as Galway man Andrew Browne, whose new deal for next season was announced this week, starts at blindside flanker. Captain John Muldoon will wear the number 8 shirt in what will be his sixth Challenge Cup quarter-final.
Replacements JP Cooney, James Connolly and Ian Porter have all been called into the match day squad while Craig Ronaldson has recovered from the illness that ruled him out late of last week’s game to take his place on the bench.
Commenting on the team selection and the upcoming game, Head Coach Pat Lam said:
“Playing a quarter final in any competition is massive and to be involved in knock out rugby at this stage of the season is what everyone wants.
“There’s no doubt that going into the cauldron that is Kingsholm is a challenge for any team. Top seeds Gloucester are a side with quality internationals and a lot of experience.
“But we have worked hard to get here and with a home semi final up for grabs, we’re looking forward to facing that challenge head on as a team.”
Connacht team to face Gloucester
15. Mils Muliaina
14. Tiernan O’Halloran
13. Danie Poolman
12. Robbie Henshaw
11. Matt Healy
10. Jack Carty
9. Kieran Marmion
1. Denis Buckley
2. Tom McCartney
3. Rodney Ah You
4. Quinn Roux
5. Aly Muldowney
6. Andrew Browne
7. Eoghan Masterson
8. John Muldoon (captain)
Replacements:
16. Shane Delahunt
17. JP Cooney
18. Finlay Bealham
19. Mick Kearney
20. James Connolly
21. Ian Porter
22. Craig Ronaldson
23. Darragh Leader
Unavailable/Injured: Jason Harris-Wright, Sean Henry, Nathan White, Ronan Loughney, Michael Swift, Mata Fifita, Willie Faloon, Jake Heenan, Eoin McKeon, Bundee Aki, Dave McSharry, Conor Finn, Fionn Carr.
Gloucester v Connacht
At Kingsholm Stadium
kick off 7:45pm
Live on Sky Sports