Masterson To Lead Connacht In Worcester Clash
Eoghan Masterson will captain Connacht in Saturday’s Challenge Cup round 2 game against Worcester Warriors at the Sportsground (kick-off 3pm). The 24-year-old takes his place at number 8 in a back row that includes Eoin McKeon at blindside and James Connolly at openside.
There is also a new-look front row compared to the team that started the bonus point win away to Oyonnax last Saturday night. Denis Buckley comes in at loosehead prop and Dave Heffernan, who impressed for Connacht Eagles last weekend, and Dominic Robertson-McCoy are included at hooker and tighthead respectively.
In the backs, Bundee Aki returns to the province’s midfield alongside inside centre Eoin Griffin. Tiernan O’Halloran is also back in the side at full-back after a brief hip injury.
Matt Healy scored two tries in the opening round and is Connacht’s record try scorer in European competition. The left winger is looking forward to building on an encouraging performance in Oyonnax, saying: “We had a great travelling support last week in Geneva and we were delighted with the bonus point win. So, we had a review of the Oyonnax game and very quickly moved on and started focusing on Worcester.
“We’re delighted to be back in the Sportsground in front of our home support. Worcester will bring a big challenge, they had a good win (against Brive) last week and, like ourselves, will be looking to gain a bit of momentum this weekend.”
CONNACHT (v Worcester Warriors): Tiernan O’Halloran, Darragh Leader, Bundee Aki, Eoin Griffin, Matt Healy; Jack Carty, Caolin Blade; Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Dominic Robertson-McCoy, Quinn Roux, James Cannon, Eoin McKeon, James Connolly, Eoghan Masterson (capt).
Replacements: Shane Delahunt, Peter McCabe, Conor Carey, Cillian Gallagher, Jarrad Butler, Kieran Marmion, Craig Ronaldson, Cian Kelleher.