Connacht Rugby name match-day squad for URC clash with Zebre
Jerry Cahir and Will Connors set to make their debuts as province returns to URC action
Five players who were named in the Ireland squad for the upcoming November internationals have been named in the Connacht Rugby side that takes on Zebre in the Dexcom Stadium this Friday (7.45pm) in the United Rugby Championship.
Ciarán Frawley and Mack Hansen start in the back-line, while Sean Jansen, Darragh Murray, and Cian Prendergast are all named in the pack for a meeting with the Italian side that sits at the foot of the table, with just one point from their three games to date.
There is also going to be a debut for loose-head prop Jerry Cahir, who joined from Leinster ahead of the start of the season. He is joined int he front row by hooker Eoin de Buitléar, and tighthead prop, Finlay Bealham.
Niall Murray partners his brother in the second row, and Paul Boyle completes the pack.
Colm Reilly once again forms the half-back paring with Frawley; while Harry West has recovered from injury to make his first appearance of the season at outside-centre, which sees Cathal Forde switch to inside centre.
Winger Finn Treacy and full-back Sam Gilbert complete the starting XV.
There’s another potential debutant on the bench with Will Connors named in the squad for the first time, while Dave Heffernan is also named in the squad for the first time this season after recovering from injury.
“Last Saturday was special for a few reasons, but now we’ve fully shifted our focus back to the URC, particularly with the six-day turnaround," Stuart Lancaster said when making the squad announcement.
"There’s still a few areas for us to work on, and having coached against Zebre many times, we know how challenging this game will be.
"It’s great to have eight players selected for Ireland duty, so we’re hoping they’ll make another positive impact before they head to camp next week,” he said.
Connacht: S Gilbert; F Treacy, H West, C Forde, M Hansen; C Frawley, C Reilly; J Cahir, E de Buitléar, F Bealham, N Murray, D Murray, C Prendergast, P Boyle, S Jansen.
Replacements: D Heffernan, J Duggan, S Illo, D O’Connor, W Connors, C Blade, S Naughton, D Ryan.