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- Five changes from side that played Munster
- Shayne Bolton returns from injury
- Dave Heffernan named as captain
The Connacht Rugby matchday squad has been named for tomorrow’s EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 meeting with Cardiff at Dexcom Stadium (k/o 8pm).
There are five changes in all from the side that started the historic meeting with Munster in Castlebar last week. Shayne Bolton has recovered from a foot injury to start on the right wing, while there’s a new half-back pairing of Matthew Devine and JJ Hanrahan.
There rest of the backs are unchanged, so Bundee Aki and Hugh Gavin continue at centre, with Finn Treacy on the left wing and Mack Hansen at full back.
There are two changes to the forwards, with Oisín Dowling coming into the second row and Josh Murphy starting in place of Cian Prendergast.
The front row of Jordan Duggan, captain Dave Heffernan and Finlay Bealham is unchanged, while Darragh Murray, Shamus Hurley-Langton and Sean Jansen complete the pack.
Cullie Tucker says:
“Tomorrow is the start of an enormous opportunity in achieving our goals at this club which is to win silverware. Our results in the pool stage have set us up nicely for the knockouts, but that'll mean nothing if we don’t go out and take advantage of it, starting tomorrow.
Both meetings with Cardiff this season have been tight, physical affairs, and they’ll be boosted by some returning internationals too. So the onus is on us to deliver a massive performance for all 80 plus minutes, backed up by a vocal home support behind the lads”.
CONNACHT RUGBY MATCHDAY SQUAD VS CARDIFF RUGBY
20:00, Saturday 5th April 2025 @ Dexcom Stadium
Number/Name/Caps
15. Mack Hansen (39)
14. Shayne Bolton (22)
13. Hugh Gavin (6)
12. Bundee Aki (147)
11. Finn Treacy (4)
10. JJ Hanrahan (25)
9. Matthew Devine (14)
1. Jordan Duggan (58)
2. Dave Heffernan (214) Captain
3. Finlay Bealham (214)
4. Oisín Dowling (72)
5. Darragh Murray (35)
6. Josh Murphy (33)
7. Shamus Hurley-Langton (53)
8. Sean Jansen (20)
16. Dylan Tierney-Martin (5)
17. Denis Buckley (261)
18. Jack Aungier (82)
19. Niall Murray (81)
20. Paul Boyle (110)
21. Caolin Blade (207)
22. Josh Ioane (12)
23. Piers O’Conor (15)
