Jarrad Butler: Freedom to rotate will stand to Connacht

The 31-year old led out an inexperienced side in their Challenge Cup opener and knows that if they are to make progress they need to widen the strength of the squad

EXPERIENCED: Jarrad Butler of Connacht about to be tackled by Newcastle’s Greg Peterson and Jamie Blamire. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie

It’s a measure of how much things are changing at Connacht that when Jarrad Butler led the team out against Newcastle Falcons on Saturday in the Challenge Cup, only two of the players coming behind were in the squad when he arrived at the Sportsground in 2017.

But the 31-year old, who joined from the Brumbies, knows that if they are to make progress they need to widen the strength of the squad and while they are all peeved at not playing in Europe’s premier competition, consolation is being sought by giving fringe players a chance to stake their claim.