Gilbert makes full Connacht debut as Lancaster names side for Ospreys clash

Sam Gilbert partners Bundee Aki in midfield, having come off the bench against the Sharks.

Conancht’s Sam Gilbert. Pic: James Crombie/Inpho

Connacht head coach Stuart Lancaster has named his matchday squad for Sunday’s Challenge Cup pool opener against Ospreys at Brewery Field. (kick-off, 3.15pm).

Two-time British and Irish Lion Bundee Aki has been handed the captaincy and is included in a starting 15 that shows nine changes from the side that beat the Sharks last weekend.

Partnering Aki in the centre is Sam Gilbert who makes his full Connacht debut, having come off the bench against the Sharks. The back three sees Shane Jennings make his first appearance of the season on the wing, with Finn Treacy on the opposite side and the in-form Seán Naughton continuing at full-back.

In the forwards, the vastly experienced front row of Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan and Finlay Bealham start together for the first time in the campaign, while there’s a new-look second row pairing of Joe Joyce and David O’Connor. 

There’s just the one change in the back row, with Sean O’Brien coming in on the openside flank, while Josh Murphy and Sean Jansen are retained.

On the bench, there’s a potential debut for academy centre Sean Walsh. The 19-year-old, who came through the pathway system at Corinthians RFC and Coláiste Éinde, wears the number 22 jersey.

Head coach Stuart Lancaster said:“We enter the Challenge Cup with strong ambitions of winning it, and we also want to use these next two weeks to give some players an opportunity to impress. 

"We’ve a good mix of youth and experience for Sunday, with the likes of Bundee as captain and plenty of other centurions, especially in the front row. 

"On the flipside to that, Sean is one of the academy players who I’ve been really impressed by and is fully deserving of his inclusion in the 23.”

Connacht: Seán Naughton, Shane Jennings, Sam Gilbert, Bundee Aki, Finn Treacy, Jack Carty, Ben Murphy, Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Joe Joyce, David O’Connor, Josh Murphy, Seán O’Brien, Sean Jansen. 

Replacements: Eoin de Buitléar, Jordan Duggan, Jack Aungier, Darragh Murray, Paul Boyle, Colm Reilly, Sean Walsh, Harry West