Henshaw And Marmion Back From Injury For Connacht
Pat Lam has named his Connacht side to face Enisei-STM in their final pool match of the European Challenge Cup at the Sportsground on Saturday (kick-off 3pm). The head coach has made six changes to the team that lined out against Brive last weekend.
All four Connacht players named in the Ireland RBS 6 Nations squad this week are included. Nathan White returns to join the uncapped Ultan Dillane in the pack, while Robbie Henshaw and Kieran Marmion are back from injury to take their places in an otherwise unchanged back-line.
There is a new front row with the introduction of Connacht natives Denis Buckley and Dave Heffernan alongside White, while Eoghan Masterson’s selection at number 8 allows captain John Muldoon to return to the blindside flanker berth.
Commenting on the team selection and the visit of the Russian outfit to Galway, head coach Pat Lam said: “We know we will need a clinical and focused performance on Saturday that ensures we take our chances and scores.
“Enisei will be coming here with confidence following their defeats of both Brive and Newcastle in our pool. They are a big, physical side and can do some damage if they are given a chance. But it’s up to us to take control of this game from the start.
“It’s great to have some guys back from injury for what is a crucial game for us in terms of our European ambitions. We are really excited to be back at the Sportsground this weekend and we are determined to give our loyal supporters something to cheer about.”
CONNACHT (v Enisei-STM): Tiernan O’Halloran; Danie Poolman, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Matt Healy; AJ MacGinty, Kieran Marmion; Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Nathan White, Ultan Dillane, Aly Muldowney, John Muldoon (capt), James Connolly, Eoghan Masterson.
Replacements: Tom McCartney, Finlay Bealham, Rodney Ah You, George Naoupu, Sean O’Brien, Caolin Blade, Jack Carty, Rory Parata.