The Connacht team to face Ulster in the final round of the GUINNESS PRO12 for 2014 has been named. Head Coach Pat Lam has made six changes from the team that travelled to play Leinster last week.
Darragh Leader, the sole squad member to have been involved in every game so far this season, starts at full back. In the absence of Ireland international Robbie Henshaw, who is rested this week as part of the IRFU player welfare programme, Bundee Aki shifts to outside centre to allow November Player of the Month Dave McSharry come in at number 12.
After making three PRO12 appearances from the bench, on-loan scrum half John Cooney gets his first start in Connacht colours, partnering Jack Carty at half back.
Up front, the props are rotated with Ronan Loughney and Finlay Bealham starting this week with Tom McCartney at hooker.
Willie Faloon is named at openside flanker in a back row with captain John Muldoon and last week’s try scorer George Naoupu.
The most notable inclusion amongst the replacements is Academy forward Eoghan Masterson. The 21-year-old Portlaoise man started six league games for the province last season. He is joined on the bench by Academy lock Ultan Dillane who made his Connacht debut at the RDS last week.
Commenting on the team selection and upcoming game, Head Coach Pat Lam said:
“We always knew we would be without Robbie (Henshaw) for this game and would have to manage the other Ireland guys as well. This being a crucial period of games and with a number of injuries, we’ve made some changes to the starting team.
“It’s great for John (Cooney), Finlay (Bealham) and Dave (McSharry) to have the opportunity to start in such a big game. Eoghan’s (Masterson) growth in the Academy this season has been exceptional and I’m pleased to give him his first involvement of the season with the senior team after leading and playing well for the Eagles.
“We had a good session today (Wednesday) and will regroup on Friday for the long trip to Belfast. We’ve identified that it is going to be a high-pressure environment at a sold out Kingspan stadium and that we need to manage that by staying focused on our roles individually and as a team. We know that history is against us winning there on Friday night but we have a lot of belief in ourselves to get the job done and regain some momentum for our goal of a top six finish in the league.”
Connacht team to face Ulster
15. Darragh Leader
14. Danie Poolman
13. Bundee Aki
12. Dave McSharry
11. Matt Healy
10. Jack Carty
9. John Cooney
1. Ronan Loughney
2. Tom McCartney
3. Finlay Bealham
4. Quinn Roux
5. Aly Muldowney
6. John Muldoon (captain)
7. Willie Faloon
8. George Naoupu
Replacements:
16. Dave Heffernan
17. Denis Buckley
18. Rodney Ah You
19. Ultan Dillane
20. Eoghan Masterson
21. Kieran Marmion
22. Craig Ronaldson
23. Mils Muliaina
Unavailable/Injured: Jason Harris-Wright, Sean Henry, Nathan White, Michael Swift, Mick Kearney, Jake Heenan, Eoin McKeon, Ian Porter, Tiernan O’Halloran, Fionn Carr.
Ulster v Connacht
Friday December 26th
Kingspan Stadium
Kick off 18:45
Live on BBC NI