Bundee Aki returns to Connacht action as Stuart Lancaster names squad for Sharks URC clash
Bundee Aki will feature for Connacht this weekend against Hollywoodbets Sharks in the URC after returning from international duty, but his Irish counterparts Cian Prendergast and Mack Hansen remain sidelined with injuries.
Head coach Stuart Lancaster named his matchday squad today for Saturday’s sold-out clash at the Dexcom Stadium (k/o 19:45), where Connacht will be looking to change their fortunes after losing their last three games.
Paul Boyle captains the side from openside flanker, in what is an unchanged back row from the side that started the last game against Munster, with Josh Murphy on the opposite flank and Sean Jansen at number 8.
Roscommon brothers Niall Murray and Darragh Murray are paired together in the second row, while the pack is completed by hooker Dave Heffernan, and props Jordan Duggan and Jack Aungier.
In the backs, Ben Murphy and Josh Ioane continue their partnership at 9 and 10, as do the Galway duo of Cathal Forde and Hugh Gavin in the centre. Shayne Bolton and Chay Mullins are selecting on the wings with Sean Naughton at full-back.
Among the replacements is new signing Sam Gilbert who will make his debut if called upon, as well as Bundee Aki fresh off his exploits with Ireland during the November internationals.
Sam Gilbert could make his debut for Connacht off the becnh. Pic: James Crombie/Inpho
As mentioned, Cian Prendergast and Mack Hansen are unavailable due to injury aswell as Caolin Blade – all of whom will be further assessed next week. So too are Shamus Hurley-Langton, Peter Dooley, Dylan Tierney-Martin, David Hawkshaw and Oisín McCormack, plus long-term absentees Oisín Dowling, Byron Ralston and Temi Lasisi.
Speeaking at his pre-match press conference, Lancaster said: “Tomorrow’s the start of a really important block for us, as we build on the first four games and aim to set ourselves up for success come the end of the season.
“Like any South African side the Sharks have a good mix of power up front and skill out wide, so we have to trust the processes we’ve worked on in the last few weeks, and feed off the support of the home crowd.
“We’ve a few injuries to content with, but on the flipside we can bring Sam Gilbert into the matchday squad for the first time. He has settled in well since his arrival and his skillset and versatility in the backline will be a big asset for us.”
S Naughton, C Mullins, H Gavin, C Forde, S Bolton, J Ioane, B Murphy; J Duggan, D Heffernan, J Aungier, N Murray, D Murray, J Murphy, P Boyle (captain), S Jansen.
E de Buitléar, D Buckley, S Illo, D O’Connor, S O’Brien, M Devine, B Aki, S Gilbert.
