Mayo rugby star set to make his Connacht debut against Munster

MAYO rugby received a huge boost today when it was announced that Ballina's Harry West has been selected to start for Connacht against Munster in the big URC League clash on Saturday at 7.45pm in Thomond Park. The young full-back impressed the coaching staff with his form in pre-season and has been chomping at the bit for a starting jersey since the campaign began.

West came through the ranks at Ballina RFC before playing at the U-20 World Cup with Ireland in South Africa. He then took up a position in the Connacht Rugby Academy and on Saturday will make his full competitive debut for the province.

His selection has been greeted with great delight in Ballina RFC where club president, Daragh Quinn, said Harry's selection is well-deserved.

"We're so proud to see Harry on the team sheet for Saturday's game. He has contributed so much to our club since he first took the field here at Mini Rugby on Saturday mornings and he has played at every level for Ballina Rugby Club. Harry and his family are part of the very fabric of our club and it will be a very special occasion when he runs out on Thomond Park tomorrow.

"It will be a hugely significant day for the club as we will also have Dave Heffernan and Fiachna Barrett on the pitch. To have three men who came through the ranks in Ballina RFC lining out together with Connacht on the one day is testament to the amazing work done by all the coaches and volunteers here in Heffernan Park."

There are nine changes to the Connacht squad that started the narrow loss to the Bulls last week. Harry is included in a new-look back three with Finn Treacy on the left wing and Byron Ralston shifting from centre to the right wing. Galway natives Cathal Forde and Hugh Gavin are named as the new centre pairing, while Ben Murphy comes in at scrum-half to partner out-half Josh Ioane.

In the pack there are starts for props Jordan Duggan and Sam Illo, while Ballina man Dave Heffernan will wear the green for the 222nd time at hooker. In the second row, Joe Joyce comes in to partner Darragh Murray, while Paul Boyle returns from injury to captain the side at openside flanker, alongside Josh Murphy and number 8 Sean Jansen.

The coaching team have gone for a 6:2 split on the bench, with Geesala's Academy prop Fiachna Barrett among the replacements and Sean O’Brien wearing the number 23 jersey.

Head coach Stuart Lancaster says: “An away interpro is one of the biggest tests in the URC so everyone’s looking forward to the game. Munster are a top-class well-coached side, so firstly we must play as well as I know we can. I’ve heard the Connacht supporters always travel in big numbers for these games so I’m sure they’ll make their voices heard in Thomond Park, and help us finish this first block of games on a high.”