Naoupu return the only change for Connacht
George Naoupu
George Naoupu returns to a Connacht starting XV that is otherwise unchanged for their RaboDirect PRO12 clash against Ulster in the Sportsground on Saturday (5.15pm).
Naoupu will don the number eight jersey with John Muldoon moving back to his traditional position at blindside flanker.
The replacements see Johnny O'Connor return to the squad. He has been out of action since fracturing his eye-socket against Leinster on New Year's Day.
Eoin Griffin also makes the bench having missed the Dragons match through a knee injury.
Head coach Eric Elwood revealed that Connacht’s strong performances of late encouraged him to keep faith with the team he has been picking.
"Looking back on our last two performances we had a very good effort against Munster, just not the result we wanted, we had the same team out against the Dragons and to be fair to the boys they were excellent," he said.
"So there are not too many changes, on saying that there's one positional change and it's great to welcome George back for such an important game.
"He's been a big player for us all year so that's a big boost for us .It's great as well to have Johnny O'Connor and Eoin Griffin back for such an important derby match."
Connacht (v Ulster): G Duffy (c); T O’Halloran, K Tonetti, H Fa’afili, F Vainikolo; M Nikora, F Murphy; B Wilkinson, E Reynecke, R Loughney; M Swift, M McCarthy; J Muldoon, R Ofisa, G Naoupu.
Replacements: A Flavin, D Buckley, R Ah You, M Kearney, J O’Connor, P O’Donohoe, M Jarvis, E Griffin.
Click to stay connected with
more stories like this:
more stories like this:
