Ireland duo back for Connacht

Ireland’s Gavin Duffy and Sean Cronin return to the Connacht side to play Bayonne in the Amlin Challenge Cup at The Sportsground on Friday night.

Tight-head Jamie Hagan amakes a return into the front row, while wing Darragh Fanning retains his spot after impressing during his starting debut last weekend in Italy.

John Muldoon captains the side again after making his return last Saturday to competitive rugby following a broken arm sustained against the All Blacks.

CONNACHT (v Bayonne):

1 Brett Wilkinson

2 Sean Cronin

3 Jamie Hagan

4 Michael Swift

5 Michael McCarthy

6 Johnny O’Connor

7 Ray Ofisa

8 John Muldoon (C)

9 Frank Murphy

10 Ian Keatley

11 Fionn Carr

12 Keith Matthews

13 Niva Ta’auso

14 Darragh Fanning

15 Gavin Duffy.

Replacements:

16 Adrian Flavin

17 Barry Fa’amasuili

18 Ronan Loughney

19 Bernie Upton

20 Andrew Browne

21 Cillian Willis

22 Miah Nikora

23 Troy Nathan