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Ballina's Dave Heffernan will play in his usual position as hooker against US Montauban. Pic: Sportsfile
Mayo man Dave Heffernan had been battling a calf injury lately, but is now returning to the Connacht Rugby team for their Challenge Cup showdown with US Montauban.
Heffernan will earn his 227th cap for the province in tomorrow's match and he will be joined by fellow Ballina man Harry West, who is starting at outside-centre.
Connacht are currently sitting in fourth place of Pool 1 of the EPCR Challenge Cup. The team managed by Stuart Lancaster will need a win against their French opposition to secure a spot in the round of 16.
READ NEXT: Should Mayo manager Andy Moran make changes for FBD League Final?
This match is the first of two home fixtures in a row as Connacht prepare to play Leinster next week on a historic day when the finished Dexcom Stadium will be officially opened.
Head coach Stuart Lancaster said ahead of the match against Montauban: “Our review of Montpellier showed that if we can eliminate some individual errors, we are close to reaching the level of performance I know we’re capable of. There was a lot to be pleased with from that game, particularly in the first half and the performances of some young players.
"It’s now up to us to use that first 40 as the template for what we need to produce for all 80 minutes, starting tomorrow against Montauban. We said at the outset that our aim was to qualify for the last 16 and take it from there, so we’ll be going out to claim all five points and see where that leaves us for the knockouts. Congratulations also to both locks Darragh and Josh on reaching 50 caps for the province. It’s a great achievement.”
Connacht Rugby v US Montauban
Saturday, January 17, 8pm at Dexcom Stadium
Number/Name/Caps
15. Sam Gilbert (7)
14. Shane Jennings (25)
13. Harry West (5)
12. Cathal Forde (61)
11. Finn Treacy (14)
10. Jack Carty (227)
9. Matthew Devine (26)
1. Billy Bohan (3)
2. Dave Heffernan (227)
3. Sam Illo (38)
4. Darragh Murray (49)
5. Josh Murphy (49)
6. Cian Prendergast (94) (C)
7. Paul Boyle (124)
8. Sean Jansen (36)
16. Dylan Tierney-Martin (65)
17. Denis Buckley (271)
18. Jack Aungier (92)
19. Joe Joyce (45)
20. Sean O’Brien (22)
21. Ben Murphy (25)
22. Sean Naughton (7)
23. Sean Walsh (2)
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