Connacht Eagles Team Named For Pontypridd Trip
Head coach Nigel Carolan has named his Connacht Eagles side to play Pontypridd in round 5 of the British & Irish Cup at Sardis Road on Saturday (kick-off 2.30pm).
The matchday squad features a strong mix of senior, Academy and club talent and there are six changes to the Eagles team that were defeated 17-7 by London Scottish in the last round.
Academy back and Ireland Under-20 international Ciaran Gaffney returns to boost the back-line which also sees Shane Layden, Rory Parata and scrum half John Cooney introduced.
Up front, Corinthians’ Pat O’Toole has been promoted to starting hooker and the pack has been strengthened with the introduction of senior lock Aly Muldowney who makes a return from injury.
Academy graduate Daniel Qualter, who started against Pontypridd at the Sportsground in October, has also been reinstated for the trip to Wales.
Pontypridd lie second in Pool 1, eight points adrift of leaders Bristol and battling for qualification as one of three best runners-up.
The Eagles are bottom placed with one win from their four games played but will look to build on last week’s performance to tackle the physical Ponty side who are currently top of the Welsh Principality Premiership with eight wins from eight, including five bonus points.
CONNACHT EAGLES (v Pontypridd): Ciaran Gaffney; Shane Layden, Rory Parata, Peter Robb, Shane O’Leary; Miah Nikora, John Cooney; Jacob Walshe, Pat O’Toole, Saba Meunargia, Aly Muldowney, Ultan Dillane, Eoghan Masterson (capt), Rory Moloney, Daniel Qualter.
Replacements: Jack Dinneen, Conan O’Donnell, Cian Romaine, Mata Fifita, Conor Lowndes, Conor McKeon, Dwayne Corcoran.