Connacht Make Four Changes For Glasgow Test
Connacht captain Cian Prendergast will have a bench role for their round 12 encounter with Glasgow Warriors in Galway ©Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
Ireland duo Cian Prendergast and Bundee Aki have been included on the bench for Connacht’s BKT United Rugby Championship meeting with Glasgow Warriors at Dexcom Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 3pm). Limited tickets are available to buy here.
Club captain Prendergast is back on provincial duty after his first two Guinness Men’s Six Nations appearances against France and England. Meanwhile, Aki returns from his four-match suspension for misconduct towards match officials.
Head coach Stuart Lancaster has made four changes to the team that beat Zebre Parma 31-15 at the end of January. Finn Treacy slots in on the left wing, and there are starts up front for Denis Buckley, fit-again tighthead Sam Illo, and David O’Connor.
Dylan Tierney-Martin, a try scorer in four of his last five matches, and Joe Joyce complete the tight five, and Gorey man Paul Boyle will captain Connacht from the back row, alongside Sean Jansen, who played recently for the Ireland XV against England ‘A’, and Sean O’Brien.
Josh Ioane and Caolin Blade continue their half-back partnership, as do homegrown talents Harry West and Cathal Forde at centre. Completing the starting XV are Shane Jennings and Sam Gilbert, the in-form full-back who has scored 100 points in his last eight appearances.
The westerners’ coaching team have a healthy mix of youth of experience to call upon as replacements, with Academy front rowers Billy Bohan and Matthew Victory alongside the experienced international trio of Prendergast, Jack Carty, and Aki.
As part of the URC’s annual Origin Round, the players will again wear the socks of their respective clubs and schools, as an acknowledgement of their pathway to professional rugby.
Connacht’s bonus point win away to Zebre in round 11 ended a run of four consecutive URC defeats. Their only victory in their last four clashes with Glasgow was a 34-26 success in Galway in October 2023.
Speaking ahead of the visit of the league leaders, who won their last two away games in Edinburgh and Parma, Lancaster said: “We’ve had a good break and an opportunity to regroup ahead of an important run of games at home.
“The atmosphere against Leinster was incredible, and if the fans can replicate that energy again on Saturday afternoon, I know it will give all the players a huge lift.
“We’re under no illusions that we’ve a big task ahead of us. Glasgow have won nine games on the bounce, and are very well coached with quality across the pitch.
“But I’m also confident in our qualities both individually and collectively, so if we perform like I know we can for the full 80 minutes, we’ll give ourselves a great chance.”
CONNACHT (v Glasgow Warriors): Sam Gilbert (Lincoln University/St. Andrew’s College); Shane Jennings (Ballinasloe RFC/Garbally College), Harry West (Ballina RFC/St. Muredach’s College), Cathal Forde (Galway Corinthians RFC/Coláiste Iognáid), Finn Treacy (Greystones RFC/Presentation College Bray); Josh Ioane (Southern Magpies/King’s College), Caolin Blade (Monivea RFC/Clarin College); Denis Buckley (Creggs RFC/Blackrock College), Dylan Tierney-Martin (Galway Corinthians RFC/The Bish), Sam Illo (Old Wesley RFC/Wesley College), David O’Connor (St. Mary’s College RFC/Blackrock College), Joe Joyce (Southmead RFC/Filton College), Paul Boyle (Gorey RFC/Gorey Community School) (capt), Sean O’Brien (Greystones RFC/Blackrock College), Sean Jansen (Green Island/Otago High School).
Replacements: Matthew Victory (Bective Rangers FC/St. Michael’s College), Billy Bohan (Newbridge RFC/Newbridge College), Jack Aungier (Suttonians RFC/St. Fintan’s High School), Josh Murphy (Clontarf FC/St. Michael’s College), Cian Prendergast (Newbridge RFC/Newbridge College), Colm Reilly (Ballinasloe RFC/Garbally College), Jack Carty (Buccaneers RFC/Marist College), Bundee Aki (Borneo Eagles/Manurewa High School).