Scholes And Connolly Back To Line Out For Connacht Eagles
Winger Rory Scholes and flanker James Connolly have returned from injury and are included in Mossy Lawler’s Connacht Eagles team to face Ealing Trailfinders at Vallis Way on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).
Rory Scholes will join a back-three that features Academy players Kieran Joyce, on the opposite wing, and Matthew Byrne at full-back. Andrew Deegan and Conor McKeon continue their effective partnership at half-back that produced the back-to-back wins over Richmond before Christmas.
James Connolly joins a strong back row featuring Sean Masterson at blindside flanker and Paul Boyle who captains the side from number 8. It has been a big week for Academy player Boyle who made his debut for the senior team in the interprovincial derby against Munster at Thomond Park last Saturday.
The two other Academy players who featured against Munster are also included in the Eagles pack. Conan O’Donnell will start at loosehead prop and Cillian Gallagher is in the second row, having made all his appearances for the senior side in the back row since making his debut in October.
CONNACHT EAGLES (v Ealing Trailfinders): Matthew Byrne; Rory Scholes, Stacey Ili, Kieran Joyce, Adam Leavy; Andrew Deegan, Conor McKeon; Conan O’Donnell, Dylan Tierney, Conor Kenny, Peter Claffey, Cillian Gallagher, Sean Masterson, James Connolly, Paul Boyle (capt).
Replacements: Callum Torpey, Matt Burke, Conor Kyne, Niall Murray, Ryan Feehily, Luke Carty, Michael O’Reilly.