The Connacht Eagles team, sponsored by NUI Galway, has been named for Sunday’s round 2 British & Irish Cup tie with Pontypridd RFC. Head Coach Nigel Carolan, recently appointed to the role of Ireland U20’s Head Coach, has made six personnel changes from the team that started the campaign against Bristol Rugby last weekend.
Roscommon-born Shane Layden will start at full back while the Academy’s David Panter comes on to the right wing which sees last week’s try scorer Fionn Carr moved over to the left.
Academy graduate Conor Finn, who made his senior debut earlier this season is named at outside centre while Cork man Shane O’Leary, who has been kicking from the tee in the last two games, gets his first start at outhalf.
There are further changes to the pack with Ultan Dilane and Cian Romaine promoted from the bench. Former Ireland U20’s player Rory Moloney will play his first Connacht game of the season, starting at openside flanker.
Kick off at the Sportsground on Sunday is at 2pm and entry is free for all Connacht Rugby Season Ticket holders.
Connacht Eagles v Pontypridd RFC
Sunday October 19th
The Sportsground
Kick off 2pm
Referee: John Carvill (IRFU)
Assistant Referees: Daniel Collins; Brian Deighan
Connacht Eagles team
15 Shane Layden
14 David Panter
13 Conor Finn
12 Peter Robb
11 Fionn Carr
10 Shane O’Leary
9 John Cooney
1 Jamie Dever
2 Pat O’Toole
3 JP Cooney
4 Ultan Dillane
5 Danny Qualter
6 Cian Romaine
7 Rory Moloney
8 Eoghan Masterson (captain)
Replacements:
16 Jack Dinneen
17 Jacob Walsh
18 Stephen McVeigh
19 Marc Kelly
20 Caolin Blade
21 Conor McKeon
22 Ciaran Gaffney
Pontypridd team:
15.Aled Summerhill. 14.Lewis I Williams. 13.Gavin Dacey. 12.Dafydd Lockyer – cpt. 11.Matthew Nuthall. 10.Simon Humberstone. 9.Lloyd Williams.
1.James Howe. 2.Liam Belcher. 3.Taufa’ao Filise. 4.Craig Locke. 5.Chris Dicomidis. 6.Luke Crocker. 7.Rhys Shellard. 8.Ellis Jenkins.
Replacements: 16.Will Baird. 17.Lewis K Williams. 18.Garyn Smith. 19.Aled Morris. 20.Jordan Sieniawski. 21.Bradley Thyer. 22.Chris Phillips