Connacht team to face Cardiff Blues

Niyi Adeolokun marks his 50^th appearance for the province at the weekend starting in a back three with fellow Irish internationals Tiernan O’Halloran and Matt Healy.

Stacey Ili has returned from injury to form a centre partnership with Craig Ronaldson while Jack Carty and John Cooney are named at half back.

Denis Buckley, Tom McCartney and JP Cooney pack down in the front row with Quinn Roux and James Cannon, who this week signed a two-year contract extension, partnering in the second row. John Muldoon captains from the Number 8 position with Sean O’Brien and Jake Heenan alongside him.

Commenting on the upcoming game, Pat Lam said:

“While it was good to get the break and a chance to work away on different aspects of our game, we’re all really looking forward to going out and playing this weekend. 

“Cardiff have always been tough opponents for us, particularly away from home where so many games have gone right down to the wire. We expect a big challenge again on Sunday and we know there is little room for error as we look to improve our overall performance.”

Connacht team to face Cardiff Blues  

Sunday February 12^th, kick off 13:05, Cardiff Arms Park   

(Connacht caps in brackets)

15           Tiernan O’Halloran (118)
14           Niyi Adeolokun (49)
13           Stacey Ili (8)
12           Craig Ronaldson (58)
11           Matt Healy (84)
10           Jack Carty (71)
9             John Cooney (31)

1             Denis Buckley (108)
2             Tom McCartney (56)
3             JP Cooney (43)
4             Quinn Roux (46)
5             James Cannon (9)
6             Sean O’Brien (31)
7             Jake Heenan (47)
8             John Muldoon (292) (captain)

Replacements:

16          Dave Heffernan (75)
17          Ronan Loughney (190)
18          John Andress (4)
19          Naulia Dawai (5)
20          Nepia Fox-Matamua (16)
21          Caolin Blade (37)
22          Tom Farrell (1)
23          Danie Poolman (79)

Injured / Unavailable: Conor Carey, Ivan Soroka, Conan O’Donnell, Andrew Browne, Marnitz Boshoff, Bundee Aki, Eoin Griffin, Cormac Brennan, Cian Kelleher, Darragh Leader, Josh Rowland.

Ireland squad: Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, Kieran Marmion

Cardiff Blues v Connacht
Sunday 12^th February
Kick-off: 13:05
Cardiff Arms Park