Prendergast set to become a Connacht centurion
Irish international in line to make 100th appearance for Connacht in Challenge Cup tie with Montpellier
Connacht captain Cian Prendergast is set to make his 100th appearance for the province tomorrow after being named at blindside flanker for the EPCR Challenge Cup quarter-final away to Montpellier at the Septeo Stadium (12.30pm Irish time).
He made his debut away to Edinburgh in October 2020 and soon became a mainstay in the matchday 23, before being appointed club captain ahead of the 2024/25 season, and Connacht head coach Stuart Lancaster paid tribute to his skipper when naming he side.
"Cian’s 100th appearance for the club is a huge achievement for him. He leads by his actions on and off the field every day, and inspires everyone around him, so he deserves all the accolades he’ll get on what is a very proud day for him and his family.”
There are four changes from the team that beat the Sharks last week, three of which are enforced: Dave Heffernan, Josh Ioane, and Shane Jennings are all ruled out through injury, with Dylan Tierney-Martin and Sean Naughton coming into the side, along with Shayne Bolton, who is set to make his first appearance in more than three months after recovering from injury.
The final change is in the back row, with Paul Boyle coming in at number 8 and Josh Murphy moving to the bench, where Lancaster has opted for a 5-3 split.
Knockout European rugby in France is a massive challenge but one we’re really looking forward to
The pack is completed by props Billy Bohan and Sam Illo, locks Joe Joyce and Darragh Murray, and the in-form Shamus Hurley-Langton. Finlay Bealham is unavailable due to personal reasons so Jack Aungier is named among the replacements.
In the backs, Matthew Devine continues at scrum-half; Bundee Aki and Cathal Forde continue together at centre; and the back three is completed by winger Chay Mullins and full-back Sam Gilbert.
“Knockout European rugby in France is a massive challenge but one we’re really looking forward to," Lancaster said after naming his side.
"We’ve seen really positive growth within the group these last few months however we now need to take our performance up another level given how well Montpellier are playing," he said.
The Montpellier side will be captained by Billy Vunipola, who has been capped 75 times by England.
Connacht: S Gilbert; S Bolton, C Forde, B Aki, C Mullins; S Naughton, M Devine; B Bohan, D Tierney-Martin, S Illo, J Joyce, D Murray, C Prendergast, S Hurley-Langton, P Boyle.
Replacements: M Victory, P Dooley, J Aungier, J Murphy, S O'Brien, B Murphy, J Carty, J Devine.
Montpellier: T Banks; D Taofifenua, A Cadot, L Anyanwu, J Echegaray; D Miotti, A Price; B Erdocio, C Tolofua, M Haouas, F Verhaeghe, T DuGuid, Y Camara, A Becognee, B Vunipola.
Replacements: L Akrab, E Forletta, V Welsch, M Tauleigne, L Nouchi, M Rates, T Vincent, A Vincent.