Henshaw return big boost for Connacht
The 21-year-old Athlone native, who missed Ireland’s summer tour to Argentina following hand surgery for damaged ligaments, will join fellow Ireland squad player Kieran Marmion in Pat Lam’s starting line-up.
Henshaw is named in the centre, with Darragh Leader reverting to full-back at the expense of Academy player Shane Layden, while Marmion, who came on as a replacement in last weekend’s 16-11 opening day win over the Dragons, takes over from Ian Porter.
The third change sees Willie Faloon come in for the injured Jake Heenan, who damaged the same shoulder that saw him sidelined for the last six months.
Henshaw’s return is a boost for Connacht who have only left Murrayfield once in the last seven seasons with a win.
Edinburgh may be without Tim Visser, but on their new hybrid pitch and in their first match at home this season, it will be difficult for Connacht, with or without Henshaw.
CONNACHT: D Leader; N Adeolokun, R Henshaw, D McSharry, D Poolman; J Carty, K Marmion; D Buckley, D Heffernan, N White; M Kearney, Q Roux; J Muldoon, W Faloon, E McKeon.
Replacements: S Henry, F Bealham, R Ah You, A Muldowney, G Naoupu, I Porter, C Ronaldson, F Carr.
EDINBURGH: J Cuthbert, S Beard, P Burleigh, A Strauss, N McLennan, T Heathcote, S Kennedy, A Dickinson, R Ford (cpt), J Andress, F McKenzie, O Atkins, T Leonardi, H Watson, C Du Preez.
Replacements: J Hilterbrand, R Sutherland, WP Nel, A Bresler, M Coman, S Hidalgo-Clyne, G Hart, J Dominguez.
