Swift Returns To Captain Connacht
Lock Michael Swift will return to the starting line-up for Connacht on Friday, with the province’s most-capped player captaining them in their opening Heineken Cup Pool 3 clash with Saracens at the Sportsground (kick-off 8pm).
Connacht head coach Pat Lam has made a number of changes to the side that started against Benetton Treviso last weekend.
Rodney Ah You, on what will be his 50th appearance for the province, will start at tighthead prop and is joined in the front row by Brett Wilkinson and hooker Sean Henry.
Galway man John Muldoon is named in the back row at blindside flanker, making his ninth Heineken Cup appearance for Connacht.
In the backs, Fionn Carr moves to the right wing, allowing Danie Poolman to start on the left. Ireland international Robbie Henshaw returns to outside centre this week and partners new signing James So’oialo who makes his debut at the Sportsground.
There is cover from the replacements bench in the form of hooker Jason Harris-Wright who returns from injury. Connacht Academy and former Ireland Under-20 prop Peter Reilly is in line to make his debut if called upon.
CONNACHT (v Saracens): Gavin Duffy; Fionn Carr, Robbie Henshaw, James So’oialo, Danie Poolman; Dan Parks, Kieran Marmion; Brett Wilkinson, Sean Henry, Rodney Ah You, Michael Swift (capt), Craig Clarke, John Muldoon, Jake Heenan, George Naoupu.
Replacements: Jason Harris-Wright, Peter Reilly, JP Cooney, Aly Muldowney, Andrew Browne, Paul O’Donohoe, Craig Ronaldson, Tiernan O’Halloran.