Five Ireland players back in starting XV for Connacht URC clash with Cardiff

Cathal Forde forms an exciting, all-Galway centre partnership with Hugh Gavin, who makes his first start for his home province after two replacement appearances in October

Connacht captain Cian Prendergast is back in the starting XV

Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins has named his side for tomorrow’s BKT United Rugby Championship meeting with Cardiff Rugby at Dexcom Stadium (KO 7.35pm).

Five players have come straight into the starting XV after training with Ireland during the Six Nations – Jack Aungier, captain Cian Prendergast, Ben Murphy, Cathal Forde and Shayne Bolton.

Forde forms an exciting, all-Galway centre partnership with Hugh Gavin, who makes his first start for his home province after two replacement appearances in October, before then suffering an ankle injury which kept him out for over 3 months.

Josh Ioane starts at out-half, with Chay Mullins on the opposite wing to Bolton and Piers O’Conor at full-back.

In the pack, there’s an unchanged front row of Peter Dooley, Dave Heffernan and Jack Aungier, while Josh Murphy moves from the back row to the second row alongside Joe Joyce. Prendergast starts at 6, with Shamus Hurley-Langton who makes his 50th appearance on the opposite flank and Paul Boyle at number 8.

Head coach Pete Wilkins says: “We’re aware and appreciate there’s little room for error in the URC now. We need to string some wins together, and if we do that starting tomorrow, we’re right back into contention for a playoff spot.

”It was a long block from November to January so the lads had some good time off to refresh and reflect, and after the way they have been applying themselves since then, I’m confident we’ll get a big performance from all 23 players.” 

CONNACHT: 15. P O’Conor, 14. S Bolton, 13. H Gavin, 12. C Forde, 11. C Mullins, 10. J Ioane, 9. B Murphy; 1. P Dooley, 2. D Heffernan, 3. J Aungier, 4. J Murphy, 5. J Joyce, 6. C Prendergast (captain), 7. S Hurley-Langton, 8. P Boyle.

Replacements: 16. D Tierney-Martin, 17. J Duggan, 18. S Illo, 19. O Dowling, 20. S Jansen, 21. M Devine, 22. JJ Hanrahan, 23. S Cordero.