• Murray and Hawkshaw come into team from last week 
• Four players return from Emerging Ireland camp
• Hugh Gavin in line to make debut off the bench 

Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins has made two changes to his side for tomorrow’s BKT United Rugby Championship interpro with Leinster at a sold-out Dexcom Stadium (k/o 7.35pm). 

Darragh Murray returns from Emerging Ireland to come into the second row, while David Hawkshaw starts in a rejigged back line. Mack Hansen misses out due to a minor hip injury, so Hawkshaw starts at outside centre with Piers O’Conor moving to full-back and Santiago Cordero shifting to the wing. 

The experienced front row of Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan and Finlay Bealham is unchanged, with Joe Joyce partnering Murray in the second row. The back row of captain Cian Prendergast, openside flanker Sean O’Brien and number 8 Paul Boyle is retained. 

Out-halves Ben Murphy and Josh Ioane continue their partnership, Bundee Aki starts at inside centre and Shayne Bolton moves from the left to right wing. 

The bench includes three further players who were named in the Emerging Ireland tour – Jack Aungier, Sean Jansen, and Hugh Gavin who will make his debut for his home province if called upon. 

Head coach Pete Wilkins says: 

“Tomorrow is one of the dates in the calendar our squad and supporters most look forward to. Leinster continue to set the benchmark for provincial rugby and it’s a fantastic opportunity for us to test ourselves with a sold-out home crowd behind us. 

It’s been a positive start to our URC campaign overall, but tomorrow will demand another step up from our previous performances and our players are determined to show what they’re capable of. The squad have prepared well this week and everyone is excited about the opportunity ahead.”  

CONNACHT RUGBY MATCHDAY 23 VS LEINSTER RUGBY 
19:35, Saturday 19th October 2024 @ Dexcom Stadium 

Number/Name/Caps (* denotes uncapped) 

15. Piers O’Conor (4)
14. Shayne Bolton (16)
13. David Hawkshaw (33)
12. Bundee Aki (140)
11. Santiago Cordero (6)
10. Josh Ioane (3)
9. Ben Murphy (4)
1. Denis Buckley (252)
2. Dave Heffernan (204)
3. Finlay Bealham (207)
4. Joe Joyce (30)
5. Darragh Murray (26)
6. Cian Prendergast (72)
7. Sean O’Brien (10)
8. Paul Boyle (96)

16. Dylan Tierney-Martin (40)
17. Peter Dooley (41)
18. Jack Aungier (68)
19. Niall Murray (77)
20. Sean Jansen (9)
21. Caolin Blade (196)
22. Cathal Forde (35)
23. Hugh Gavin *