Connacht name strong-looking side for Narbonne
If it’s Connacht in the Challenge Cup, then it must be Narbonne. Michael Bradley has announced his side to take on the French club for the third consecutive season.
If it’s Connacht in the Challenge Cup, then it must be Narbonne. This is the third year in a row that the Western province takes on the club from the South of France.
Connacht have named a strong-looking side for the away leg on Saturday. Matt Mostyn is named on the wing with the returning Darren Yapp and the impressively strong James Downey in the centre. Mark McHugh nails down the fullback slot ahead of Dave Slemen.
Up front Bernard Jackman is flanked by young props Ray Hogan and Stephen Knoop. Christian Short partners captain Andrew Farley in the second row, as Pieter Myburgh has had a dead leg from last weekend.
The backrow looks strong also, with John Muldoon packing down alongside Matt Lacey and Michael Swift. John O’Sullivan has been nursing a shoulder injury.
Connacht:
15. Mark McHugh, 14. Matt Mostyn, 13. Darren Yapp, 12. James Downey, 11. Ted Robinson, 10. Paul Warwick, 9. Conor O’Loughlin; 1. Ray Hogan, 2. Bernard Jackman, 3. Stephen Knoop, 4. Christian Short, 5. Andrew Farley (Captain), 6.Michael Swift, 7. Matt Lacey, 8. John Muldoon.
Replacements: John Fogarty, Dan McFarland, Peter Bracken, Michael Carroll, Paul Neville, Chris Keane, Eric Elwood.