Carolan Makes Changes To Connacht Eagles Team
While the senior squad travel to France on Heineken Cup duty, Connacht Eagles welcome Bedford Blues to the Sportsground for round 3 of the British & Irish Cup on Saturday (kick-off 2.30pm).
Pool 3 is shaping up to be the tightest of pools with just two points separating all four sides a third of the way through the fixtures.
Bedford’s narrow win over Llanelli in round 2 – their first victory of the season – puts them level on points with the Scarlets.
The improving Blues will go into the game in buoyant mood after becoming the first side to beat London Welsh in the Championship this season. But Connacht Eagles will take confidence from their 27-25 win over Rotherham Titans in the last round.
Head coach Nigel Carolan has made a number of changes following his side’s last two outings against Rotherham and Ulster Ravens (a 35-10 defeat). His matchday squad for Saturday is made up of a mixture of senior and Academy players.
Kick-off at the Sportsground is 2.30pm and there is free entry for all.
CONNACHT EAGLES (v Bedford Blues): Shane Layden; David Panter, Conor Finn, Brian Murphy, Steve Macauley; Jack Carty (capt), Paul O’Donohoe; Finlay Bealham, James Rael, JP Cooney, David Nolan, Daniel Qualter, Andrew Browne, James Connolly, Eoghan Masterson.
Replacements: David Heffernan, Peter Reilly, Ultan Dillane, Conor Kindregan, Sean O’Brien, Caolin Blade, Tadhg Leader.