Griffin And McSharry To Start For Connacht Eagles

While the autumn internationals have taken centre stage these past few weeks, Connacht Eagles have been busy preparing for Friday’s trip to Belfast to face Ulster Ravens at Deramore Park – home of Belfast Harlequins (kick-off 6pm).

Connacht Eagles head coach Nigel Carolan has named a strong matchday squad made up of senior and Academy players.

Most notably, Galway man Eoin Griffin makes a welcome return from injury and is paired in the centre with fellow returnee David McSharry.

Academy out-half Jack Carty will once again captain the Eagles side, forming the half-back pairing with the experienced Frank Murphy.

Up front, Ronan Loughney is named at loosehead prop with Nathan White starting at tighthead. Aly Muldowney will play at blindside flanker – a position he covered two weeks ago against Glasgow Warriors – and is joined in the back row by Mata Fifita and recent Academy recruit Eoghan Masterson.

CONNACHT EAGLES (v Ulster Ravens): Darragh Leader; Fionn Carr, Eoin Griffin, David McSharry, Tiernan O’Halloran; Jack Carty (capt), Frank Murphy; Ronan Loughney, David Heffernan, Nathan White, David Nolan, Michael Kearney, Aly Muldowney, Eoghan Masterson, Mata Fifita.

Replacements: James Rael, Denis Buckley, JP Cooney, Daniel Qualter, Paul O’Donohoe, Conor Finn, Shane Layden.