Three Mayo rugby stars, all of them former Ballina RFC players, are named in the matchday squad for Connacht Rugby tomorrow evening.

Connacht are trying to bounce back from an opening day defeat in the EPCR Challenge Cup last weekend when Stuart Lancaster's men suffered a painful 21-24 defeat at the hands of Ospreys, after leading for most of the game.

Head coach Lancaster has named the team for Saturday’s Challenge Cup meeting with Georgian side Black Lion at Dexcom Stadium at 8pm. 

The side is captained by the in-form Paul Boyle, whose return to the starting XV is one of 11 changes that started the game against Ospreys last weekend. 

Ballina man, hooker Dave Heffernan, number 8 Sean Jansen, out-half Jack Carty and new signing Sam Gilbert have been retained, with Gilbert moving to full-back.

Jack Carty is partnered at half-back by the returning Caolin Blade, while Cathal Forde and Hugh Gavin are named at centre. Wingers Shayne Bolton and Chay Mullins complete the back three.

In the pack there are starts for props Jordan Duggan and Sam Illo, while the Murray brothers Darragh and Niall complete the tight five. In the back row there’s a return to action for Shamus Hurley-Langton, having missed the last few weeks due to injury.

On the bench there’s a potential debut for Academy prop Billy Bohan who is included in the matchday 23 for the first time. Prop Fiachna Barrett from Geesala is also on the bench, as is fellow Mayo man Harry West from Ballina.

Also, David Hawkshaw is returning from injury and will come off the bench.

Head coach Stuart Lancaster says: “We’ve quite a number of injuries, and Bundee Aki is on a rest-week after his Ireland duties, but we’re still able to name a strong team filled with players who have plenty of minutes under their belt this season. It’s a unique challenge hosting a Georgian side, but it’s one we’re really looking forward to. You know they’re going to be physical so we have to front up in that regard, and then feed off the support of the home crowd when the opportunities arise.”

What is the Connacht Rugby team versus Black Lion?

Saturday December 13, 8pm at Dexcom Stadium.

Number/Name/Caps (* denotes uncapped)

15. Sam Gilbert (2)

14. Chay Mullins (12)

13. Hugh Gavin (12)

12. Cathal Forde (55)

11. Shayne Bolton (30)

10. Jack Carty (223)

9. Caolin Blade (221)

1. Jordan Duggan (67)

2. Dave Heffernan (224)

3. Sam Illo (34)

4. Darragh Murray (43)

5. Niall Murray (84)

6. Paul Boyle (119) (C)

7. Shamus Hurley-Langton (58)

8. Sean Jansen (31)

Finishers:

16. Dylan Tierney-Martin (59)

17. Billy Bohan *

18. Fiachna Barrett (3)

19. Joe Joyce (41)

20. Seán O’Brien (17)

21. Matthew Devine (22)

22. David Hawkshaw (45)

23. Harry West (2)

Unavailable: Bundee Aki, Jack Aungier, Finlay Bealham, Peter Dooley, Oisín Dowling, Mack Hansen, Josh Ioane, Shane Jennings, Temi Lasisi, Oisín McCormack, Seán Naughton, Cian Prendergast, Byron Ralston.

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