This is the Champions Cup Rugby and we have a starting team for Connach v Leinster, BT Sports TV coverage for the kick-off at 8pm.
A capacity crowd is expected for Connaught’s first appearance in the knockout stages of the Champions Cup, and head coach Andy Friend is able to welcome a number of key players just in time for the event.
The British and Irish Lion Bundy are back for their first appearance before the Aki Six Nations, where they also have their first start of the season for Gavin Thornbury after an impressive cameo off the bench last weekend after an 11-month absence.
The third and final change is the inclusion of club captain Jared Butler after he missed the win against Benetton due to injury.
He formed a back row with Flankersian Prendergast and Connor Oliver, where Leva became a partner of Fifita Thornbury. The front rows of Matthew Burke, Dave Heffernan and Finlay Belham remain unchanged.
Match captain Jack Carty starts at 10 next to Kieran Marmion, while Aki joins Tom Farrell in the outside center. Full-back Tiernan O’Halloran and winger Mac Hansen and John Porch complete a back three team.
Commenting on the team’s announcement, Andy Friend said:
“There is a huge tension between all the players and the management for next night. You want to get involved with games like these, and with the capacity crowd behind us, this is going to be a great occasion and we firmly believe that we can win.
We have more than 45 players coached by our professional and integrated academy players so this is a great place to be at this stage of the season and it has also given the coaches some headaches for our squad selection. “
Leinster Team News
Cullen has added captain Johnny Sexton to this week’s matchday squad after integrating some returning internationals into the lineup for last weekend’s win at Thomund Park.
The St. Mary’s College man will join Luke McGrath’s half-back, playing inside the same back line that started against Munster.
Hugo Canan has a full-back with Jimmy O’Brien, four try scorers in Leinster’s last European outing and James Lowe on the wings.
Gary Ringrose again joins Robbie Hensch in midfield.
With Cian Healy, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Ross Molony and Josh Murphy in the pack, Cullen has made wholesale changes to the front five.
Behind them, the back rows of Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan remain unchanged.
The replacement benches are James Tracy, Ed Byrne, Michael Ala’toa, Devin Toner, Max Degan, Jameson Gibson-Park, Ross Byrne and Ciaran Frawley.
Kanakhat Ragi Match 23
Friday, April 8, 20:00 @ Playground
Number / Name / Caps
15. Tierran O’Halloran (203)
14. John porch (54)
13. Tom Farrell (75)
12. Bundee Aki (115)
11. Mac Hansen (10)
10. Jack Carty (175) (C)
9. Kieran Marmion (204)
1. Matthew Burke (36)
2. Dave Hefernan (160)
3. Finlay Belham (170)
4. Gavin Thornberry (59)
5. Leva Fifita (11)
6. Sean Prendergast (26)
7. Connor Oliver (37)
8. Jarad Butler (91)
Replacement
16. Dylan Tierney-Martin (2)
17. Titi Twimauga (9)
18. Jack Angier (27)
19. Oisin Dowling (21)
20. Abraham Papali (22)
21. Kaolin Blade (146)
22. Connor Fitzgerald (48)
23. Sammy Arnold (35)
Leinster rugby team vs Connacht (bracket appearance):
15. Hugo Kinan (39)
14. Jimmy O’Brien (46)
13. Gary Ringrose (95)
12. Ravi Hensh (61)
11. James Low (60)
10. Johnny Sexton Captain (178)
9. Luke McGraw (168)
1. Sean Healy (242)
2. Dan Sheehan (22)
3. Tadhag Farlong (120)
4. Ross Moloney (132)
5. Josh Murphy (56)
6. Callan Doris (48)
7. Josh van der Flair (107)
8. Jack Conan (110)
Replacement:
16. James Tracy (140)
17. Ed Byrne (81)
18. Michael Ala’atua (17)
19. Devin Toner (277)
20. Max Degan (81)
21. Jamison Gibson-Park (109)
22. Ross Byrne (121)
23. Ciarán Frawley (48)
Judge – Carl Dixon (RFU)
