Search
21 Feb 2026
Search
21 Feb 2026
Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content.
Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist.
If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter .
Support our mission and join our community now.
To continue reading this article, you can subscribe for as little as €0.50 per week which will also give you access to all of our premium content and archived articles!
Alternatively, you can pay €0.50 per article, capped at €1 per day.
Thank you for supporting Ireland's best local journalism!
Ballina's Harry West (pictured) is named on the bench ahead of the clash with Leinster. Pic: Sportsfile.
Connacht Rugby head coach Stuart Lancaster has named his matchday squad for Saturday’s BKT United Rugby Championship interpro away to Leinster at the Aviva Stadium with two Mayo natives named on the matchday panel.
Among the replacements are North Mayo duo Harry West and Fiachna Barrett. The game against Leinster kicks off at 5.30 on Saturday evening with the game being shown live on TG4 and Premier Sports.
There are five changes from the side that started last week’s narrow loss to Ulster. Ballina native Dave Heffernan and Jack Carty miss out through injury, so Dylan Tierney-Martin comes in to start at hooker and Josh Ioane at 10 as a new 9-10 combo with Matthew Devine. David Hawkshaw gets a well-earned start at outside centre, and Chay Mullins has returned to full fitness to come onto the right wing.
Otherwise it’s as selected from last week, with starts for props Denis Buckley and Finlay Bealham, locks Joe Joyce and David O’Connor, and a back row of Josh Murphy, captain Cian Prendergast and Sean Jansen.
Bundee Aki continues at inside centre, while Finn Treacy is on the left wing and Sam Gilbert remains at full-back.
Head coach Stuart Lancaster says: "There’s no bigger challenge in the URC than Leinster at the Aviva and it’s one we’re relishing. You want to test yourselves against the best teams in Europe, so this is a great opportunity to take the learnings of the last few weeks. I know from past experience that there’s always a big Connacht crowd in Dublin for these games, so I’m sure they’ll make their voices heard again.”
READ MORE: Mayo GAA star celebrates engagement in Belmullet pub
Subscribe or register today to discover more from DonegalLive.ie
Buy the e-paper of the Donegal Democrat, Donegal People's Press, Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles.
Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm.
This publication supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice of the Press Council. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, Lo-call 1800 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie.
