Mayo man to start for Connacht against Ulster

Mayo man Dave Heffernan will get another cap for his province. When Connacht play Ulster tomorrow, the Ballina native will start on his usual position as hooker. 

It will be Heffernan's 207th game for Connacht. In the current BKT United Rugby Championship table, both teams are next to each other and both need important points in their pursuit of a play-off spot.

There will be three changes from the team that lost to Leinster last Saturday: There’s a new half-back pairing of Caolin Blade and Jack Carty, and Santiago Cordero comes into the left-wing position.

The pack is unchanged so the experienced front row of Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan and Finlay Bealham start again, as does the second row of Josh Murphy and Darragh Murray. Cian Prendergast captains the side from blindside flanker, with Shamus Hurley-Langton on the other side and Paul Boyle at number 8.

Bundee Aki and Cathal Forde continue at #12 and #13 respectively, while Mack Hansen starts from the right wing and Piers O’Conor is at full-back.

 The 6:2 split on the bench also continues, with Peter Dooley returning from injury to start as replacement loosehead prop, and Conor Oliver again wearing the #23 jersey.

Head coach Pete Wilkins says:“We’re aware this is an important game in the context of our overall season in the URC. With Caolin, Jack and Santi coming in they bring a huge amount of experience, but otherwise we have that consistency of selection from last week.

CONNACHT RUGBY MATCHDAY 23 VS ULSTER RUGBY

19:35, Saturday 28th December 2024 @ Dexcom Stadium

Number/Name/Caps

15. Piers O’Conor (8)

14. Mack Hansen (37)

13. Cathal Forde (41)

12. Bundee Aki (143)

11. Santiago Cordero (12)

10. Jack Carty (216)

9. Caolin Blade (201)

1. Denis Buckley (257)

2. Dave Heffernan (207)

3. Finlay Bealham (210)

4. Josh Murphy (25)

5. Darragh Murray (32)

6. Cian Prendergast (76) (C)

7. Shamus Hurley-Langton (46)

8. Paul Boyle (102)

  Replacements:

16. Dylan Tierney-Martin (45)

17. Peter Dooley (43)

18. Jack Aungier (74)

19. Oisín Dowling (65)

20. Sean Jansen (13)

21. Ben Murphy (8)  

22. Shane Jennings (18)  

23. Conor Oliver (91)