Eagles team to face Rotherham Titans

While the senior squad welcome Zebre to the Sportsground this Saturday in the Heineken Cup, the Connacht Eagles are traveling to England to face Rotherham Titans in round 5 of the British & Irish Cup.

Head Coach Nigel Carolan has named a matchday squad made up of Senior, Academy and club players.

The back three includes Tiernan O’Halloran at full back with Academy wingers Shane Layden and David Panter.

In the pack, Dave Heffernan, who came off the bench in both PRO12 games against Munster and Leinster, will start at hooker in a front row with senior props Ronan Loughney and JP Cooney.

Rory Moloney, who last month captained the Ireland U19’s team against Australia Schools, is named at openside flanker

The Eagles have won two from four in pool 3 of the B&I Cup with both wins coming at home in the Sportsground. The Irish side will be looking to complete the double over Rotherham Titans, who they beat 27-25 back in October, when fullback Darragh Leader stepped up to land a late, long-range penalty kick to secure the two-point win. This was Rotherham’s only defeat in the competition to date.

Rotherham Titans v Connacht Eagles: Kick-off is at Clifton Lane is at 2pm on Saturday, January 11^th.

Rotherham Titans

Rotherham Titans, under new Head Coach Lee Blackett, have had a brilliant first half to their season, winning 11 from 15 games in the Championship and British & Irish Cup.

The Titans are currently topping pool 3 of the B&I Cup competition and sit in second place in the English Championship just two points behind last season’s Premiership outfit London Welsh.

Last time out in this competition, Rotherham had a narrow 20 - 15 victory over Llanelli RFC.

Connacht Eagles’ lineup v Rotherham Titans

15           Tiernan O’Halloran
14           Shane Layden
13           Conor Finn
12           Brian Murphy
11           David Panter
10           Tadhg Leader
9             Frank Murphy (captain)

1              Ronan Loughney
2              Dave Heffernan
3              JP Cooney
4              Sean O’Brien
5              Danny Qualter
6              Mata Fifita
7              Rory Moloney
8              Eoghan Masterson

Replacements (from):

16           James Rael
17           Finlay Bealham
18           Peter Reilly
19           Aaron McCloskey
20           Marcus Walsh
21           Rory Parata
22          Steve Macauley

 

British & Irish Cup Fixtures

Round 1

Llanelli RFC 76 v 14 Connacht Eagles                        Sat 12th Oct 2012 KO 2pm                            Parc y Scarlets

Round 2

Connacht Eagles 27 v 25 Rotherham Titans           Sat 19th Oct 2012 KO 2.30pm                      The Sportsground

Round 3

Connacht Eagles 17 v 8 Bedford Blues                     Sat 7th Dec 2012 KO 2.30pm                       The Sportsground

Round 4

Bedford Blues 50 v 17 Connacht Eagles                   Sat 14th Dec 2012 KO 2pm                             Goldington Road

Round 5

Rotherham Titans v Connacht Eagles                       Sat 11th Jan 2013 KO 2pm                             Clifton Lane

Round 6

Connacht Eagles v Llanellii                                          Sat 18th Jan 2013 KO 2pm                        The Sportsground