Injury-hit Connacht make 10 changes for Challenge Cup clash

Head coach Pat Lam has made 10 changes from last week as Connacht take on Newcastle Falcons in round 3 of the European Challenge Cup tomorrow at the Sportsground.

With the side ravaged by injury, Lam was forced to field a new look starting XV.

“With 18 players unavailable through injury from our European squad, it was certainly a challenge to piece together a match day squad for tomorrow,” Lam admitted.

“We are forced to name the 23 remaining players which include three hookers in the team as Dave (Heffernan) will be required to cover the back row. Thankfully Danie (Poolman) and Ian (Porter) passed late fitness tests this morning to take their place on the bench. While it isn’t ideal, it’s simply another test for us to meet head on.”

Jack Carty is retained at outhalf while 21-year-old Caolin Blade is handed the number 9 shirt for his first start this season, having made an appearance from the bench in Krasnoyarsk last month.

There is a new midfield partnership with Academy duo Rory Parata and Peter Robb named to start.

Niyi Adeolokun is promoted to the right wing while Matt Healy, on the left, gets his first taste of European action this season.

Galway man Tiernan O’Halloran will captain the side from fullback.

In the pack, there are just two players remaining from last week – Aly Muldowney and James Connolly.

Prop Finlay Bealham, now the only player to have been involved in every game this season, starts in a new front row with Jason Harris-Wright and Ireland international Nathan White.

Ultan Dillane returns to the second row to partner Muldowney while Galway man Sean O’Brien earns his first ever senior start coming in to a back row with Connolly and the experienced George Naoupu at number eight.

“Newcastle will bring their own strengths and we are expecting a very physical battle,” Lam said. “Despite all the changes, If we work together as a team and stick to our structures tomorrow night, we’ll increase our chances of getting the job done.

“We’re really looking forward to playing back at the Sportsground in front of our home crowd again after a few weeks on the road.”

Connacht team: 15. Tiernan O’Halloran - capt., 14 Niyi Adeolokun, 13 Rory Parata, 12 Peter Robb, 11 Matt Healy, 10 Jack Carty, 9 Caolin Blade; 1 Finlay Bealham, 2 Jason Harris-Wright, 3 Nathan White, 4 Ultan Dillane, 5 Aly Muldowney, 6 Sean O’Brien, 7 James Connolly, 8 George Naoupu.

Replacements: 16 Shane Delahunt, 17 Conan O’Donnell, 18 Rodney Ah You, 19 Danny Qualter, 20 Dave Heffernan, 21 Ian Porter, 22 Shane O’Leary, 23 Danie Poolman.