Team news for Connacht v Ulster showdown at the Sportsground
Connacht and Ulster have named their teams for Saturday’s PRO12 meeting between the two provinces.
Connacht have made three changes to their starting XV for the derby clash.
Bundee Aki comes in at inside centre to partner Robbie Henshawe in midfield. In the half-backs Craig Ronaldson comes in at 10 to start alongside Kieran Marmion.
The final change is in the pack. George Naoupu comes in at number eight allowing captain John Muldoon to move to blindside flanker.
“We have no doubt that Saturday will be a massive challenge against a quality Ulster side who have been up near the top of the table for the whole season,” head coach Pat Lam said when announcing the team. “With their Six Nations stars back they’ll be coming here all guns blazing as they vie for a home semi-final.
“But we are back on our Sportsground for the first time in six weeks and we’re in a really exciting place in the league. A top six finish is still very much in our hands.
“These are the types of pressure games that you want this young group of players to be playing in and we know we need to put in a big team performance tomorrow.”
Rory Best, Tommy Bowe and Jared Payne have all been named in the Ulster team, three of 13 Ireland internationals named in the squad for the interprovincial clash.
Best returns to captain the side at hooker, with Callum Black and Wiehahn Herbst starting on either side.
Payne is named at outside centre alongside Darren Cave at 12 - while Paddy Jackson and Ruan Pienaar continue in the half-backs.
The final change sees Bowe selected on the right wing; he is joined in the back three by Louis Ludik and Craig Gilroy.
Connacht v Ulster at the Sportsground on Saturday April 11 - kick-off 2.40pm.
: Tiernan O’Halloran, Danie Poolman, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Matt Healy, Craig Ronaldson, Kieran Marmion, Denis Buckley, Tom McCartney, Rodney Ah You, Quinn Roux, Aly Muldowney, John Muldoon - capt, Eoghan Masterson, George Naoupu.
: Shane Delahunt, Ronan Loughney, Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, Eoin McKeon, John Cooney, Miah Nikora, Darragh Leader.
: L Ludik, T Bowe, J Payne, D Cave, C Gilroy, P Jackson, R Pienaar, C Black, R Best - capt, W Herbst, D Tuohy, F Van der Merwe, I Henderson, C Henry, R Wilson.
: R Herring, A Warwick, B Ross, R Diack, C Ross, P Marshall, I Humphreys, S McCloskey.
