Buckley The Only Change For Connacht
Connacht head coach Eric Elwood has announced his team to face Aironi in the province’s last home game of the season at the Sportsground on Saturday (kick-off 5pm).
The only change to last weekend’s starting side is prop Denis Buckley who joins the front row in place of the injured Brett Wilkinson.
Wilkinson picked up a calf strain during the interpro victory over Ulster and will now face a race against time to be fit for possible inclusion in Ireland’s summer tour squad.
Recent victories over the Dragons and Ulster have left Eric Elwood’s men well placed to climb the RaboDirect PRO12 table and with just two points separating Connacht from the Dragons and Benetton Treviso, a best ever eighth place finish is certainly within reach.
Speaking about the team selection, head coach Elwood said: “We’re looking for a strong performance and to finish the season on a high.
“We’ve had some excellent results in recent weeks and we hope to build on that and finish on an up.
“It’ll be a big day for the likes of Ray (Ofisa) and Henry (Fa’afili) playing in front of the home crowd for the last time, so it would be great to give them the send-off they deserve and finish with a win.”
Connacht Rugby will throw open it’s doors for a Family Fun Day this Saturday ahead of the match. From 2.30pm, the Sportsground will be transformed with bouncy castles, obstacle courses, a rugby assault course, meet the players and much more. Further details can be found on www.connachtrugby.ie.
CONNACHT (v Aironi Rugby): Gavin Duffy (capt); Tiernan O’Halloran, Kyle Tonetti, Henry Fa’afili, Fetu’u Vainikolo; Miah Nikora, Frank Murphy; Denis Buckley, Ethienne Reynecke, Ronan Loughney, Michael Swift, Mike McCarthy, John Muldoon, Ray Ofisa, George Naoupu.
Replacements: Adrian Flavin, Stewart Maguire, Rodney Ah You, Michael Kearney, Johnny O’Connor, Paul O’Donohoe, Matthew Jarvis, Eoin Griffin.