Connacht head to Salford in the second round of the European Challenge Cup, looking to out back-to-back wins together against Sale Sharks who boast a perfect four-from-four record against the westerners.
EUROPEAN CHALLENGE CUP – POOL 3: Saturday, October 20
SALE SHARKS (1st) v CONNACHT (2nd), AJ Bell Stadium, 3pm (live Galway Bay FM/highlights Virgin Media One)
Team News: Scrum half Caolin Blade will captain Connacht for the first time when the westerners take on Sale Sharks at the AJ Bell Stadium in the European Challenge Cup this afternoon.
With Jack Carty rested after playing seven games in a row, Blade will form a half-back partnership with 21-year-old Academy player Conor Fitzgerald who made his debut off the bench against Bordeaux-Bègles last weekend.
Connemara youngster Colm de Buitléar (20) is named on the left wing in what will also be his first competitive start for his province. The back-line is boosted by the return of centre Tom Farrell who forms a midfield partnership with the versatile Kyle Godwin, who scored two tries from the wing in a man-of-the-match performance in the opening round.
Tiernan O’Halloran returns from injury to take his place at full-back, with Niyi Adeolokun completing the back-three. In the forwards, the experienced Denis Buckley comes back in at loosehead prop alongside hooker Shane Delahunt and Conor Carey at tighthead. Behind them will be Ireland international Ultan Dillane and James Cannon.
Former Ireland Under-20 captain Paul Boyle, who has made a strong start to the season, moves to blindside flanker while openside Colby Fainga’a and the Ireland-capped Robin Copeland, at number 8, are both retained. Regular captain Jarrad Butler is rested this week.
Two more players are in line to make their Connacht debuts off the bench – Academy prop Matthew Burke and summer arrival David Horwitz who played for Connacht Eagles last Sunday following injury. Former Sale player James Mitchell is also included among the replacements.
Connacht head coach Andy Friend feels he has picked the right blend of youth and experience to challenge the English club, saying: “Sale are an impressive side and they are top of the pool after the bonus point win away to Perpignan. We have picked a strong side. We have a few new players coming in who are there on merit and then we have a few more experienced guys coming back from injury.
“We have picked a side that we think can win the game and that is our intention going over to Sale. With ourselves and Sale both winning in the opening round, this game will have a big say in the final pool standings.”
Meanwhile, experienced England international Chris Ashton is set to make his delayed debut for Sale Sharks as he is named on the left wing for their second round encounter with Connacht.
Ashton, who spent last season at French club Toulon, is one of five personnel changes to Sale’s starting XV, with one positional switch as well. Returning to the side are Bryn Evans, Ben Curry and former Wallaby James O’Connor, while Josh Beaumont moves from lock to number 8. Also set for a debut is replacement prop Tom Bristow.
Sale have some notable absentees too as Marland Yarde, former Connacht out-half AJ MacGinty, Cameron Redpath, Denny Solomona, Josh Strauss, James Flynn, Mark Jennings, Bevan Rodd and Sam Moore are all currently unavailable for selection.
SALE SHARKS: Sam James; Byron McGuigan, James O’Connor, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Chris Ashton; Kieran Wilkinson, Faf de Klerk; Ross Harrison, Rob Webber, WillGriff John, Bryn Evans, James Phillips, Jono Ross (capt), Tom Curry, Josh Beaumont.
Replacements: Curtis Langdon, Tom Bristow, Alexandru Tarus, George Nott, Ben Curry, Will Cliff, Luke James, Arron Reed.
CONNACHT: Tiernan O’Halloran; Niyi Adeolokun, Tom Farrell, Kyle Godwin, Colm de Buitléar; Conor Fitzgerald, Caolin Blade (capt); Denis Buckley, Shane Delahunt, Conor Carey, Ultan Dillane, James Cannon, Paul Boyle, Colby Fainga’a, Robin Copeland.
Replacements: Tom McCartney, Matthew Burke, Conan O’Donnell, Joe Maksymiw, James Connolly, James Mitchell, David Horwitz, Eoin Griffin.
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
Assistant Referees: Gwyn Morris, Aled Evans (both Scotland)
Match Odds (Paddy Power): Sale Sharks to win: 1/6; Draw: 25/1; Connacht to win: 7/2
Pre-Match Quotes: Tom Farrell (Connacht) – “It’s been a brilliant move for me. In Bedford, it was Championship rugby, it is what it is and it’s not the best standard but is a kind of springboard. It gives you that platform to showcase yourself but you have to be kind of lucky as well.
“I was lucky in the sense that Connacht had quite a few injuries two years ago and Pat Lam was good enough to bring me over. I got a call and I think one email and a few days later I was sitting on the bench in the Champions Cup.
“Sale Sharks have a few boys returning who are going to add strength to the team. Their position (of eleventh) in the Premiership is not a fair indication of the quality they have. It’s a very important game and will have a big say in the group.”
Steve Diamond (Sale Sharks) – “Under Andy Friend, Connacht are a very competitive side. They arrive in the north west on the back of victories at Ulster and home to Bordeaux, and we’re taking their challenge very seriously. We served notice of intent with our performance at Perpignan, and want to progress through to the knock-out stages of the competition.”
Current Form – Sale Sharks (Gallagher Premiership): Lost 51-23 v Harlequins (away), Won 21-15 v Worcester Warriors (home), Lost 35-18 v Exeter Chiefs (away), Lost 31-13 v Wasps (home), Lost 19-15 v Leicester Tigers (away), Won 20-7 v Newcastle Falcons (home); (European Challenge Cup): Won 41-24 v Perpignan (away)
Connacht – (GUINNESS PRO14): Lost 27-26 v Glasgow Warriors (home), Won 32-13 v Zebre (home), Lost 17-10 v Edinburgh (away), Won 33-20 v Scarlets (home), Lost 20-3 v Leinster (home), Won 22-15 v Ulster (away); (European Challenge Cup): Won 22-10 v Bordeaux-Bègles (home)
Top Scorers – 2018/19 European Challenge Cup: Sale Sharks – Points: Byron McGuigan 15; Tries: Byron McGuigan 3; Connacht – Points: Kyle Godwin 10; Tries: Kyle Godwin 2
Previous European Meetings: 4
Sunday, April 24, 2005 – Semi-Final Second Leg – Sale Sharks 59 Connacht 9, Edgeley Park
Saturday, April 2, 2005 – Semi-Final First Leg – Connacht 18 Sale Sharks 25, the Sportsground
Saturday, November 3, 2001 – Pool 4 – Sale Sharks 44 Connacht 6, Heywood Road
Saturday, October 27, 2001 – Pool 4 – Connacht 30 Sale Sharks 33, the Sportsground
Match Facts –
– Sale Sharks have won all four of their games against Connacht, winning two pool matches in 2001/02 and both legs of a semi-final in 2004/05
– Sharks have won 23 of their last 26 pool games at home (D1, L2). All five of their all-time home losses in the competition have come against Top 14 sides
– Connacht have recorded just two away wins against English Premiership opponents in the Challenge Cup, a 20-15 victory over Northampton Saints in their first such game (1997/98) and a 26-21 win over Worcester Warriors in 2010
– Byron McGuigan was the top scorer in round 1, scoring a hat-trick of tries and doubling his career record in Europe having scored three in 13 previous matches for Sale, Exeter Chiefs and Glasgow Warriors
– Connacht won 27 of their 28 set pieces in Round 1. Only Bristol (100%) had a better record over the opening weekend
Challenge Cup Records:
Sale Sharks –
2017/18: Failed to qualify from Pool 2
2015/16: Reached the quarter-finals
2013/14: Reached the quarter-finals
2011/12: Failed to qualify from Pool 5
2010/11: Failed to qualify from Pool 2
2007/08: Reached the semi-finals
2004/05: Champions
2001/02: Champions
2000/01: Failed to qualify from Pool 4
1999/00: Failed to qualify from Pool 3
1997/98: Failed to qualify from Pool 2
1996/97: Failed to quality from Pool 1
Connacht –
2017/18: Reached the quarter-finals
2015/16: Reached the quarter-finals
2014/15: Reached the quarter-finals
2010/11: Failed to qualify from Pool 1
2009/10: Reached the semi-finals
2008/09: Reached the quarter-finals
2007/08: Failed to qualify from Pool 3
2006/07: Failed to qualify from Pool 4
2005/06: Reached the quarter-finals
2004/05: Reached the semi-finals
2003/04: Reached the semi-finals
2002/03: Reached the quarter-finals
2001/02: Failed to qualify from Pool 4
2000/01: Failed to qualify from Pool 2
1999/00: Failed to qualify from Pool 4
1998/99: Failed to qualify from Pool 1
1997/98: Failed to qualify from Pool 4
1996/97: Failed to qualify from Pool 3
This website uses cookies.
Read More