Lam names Connacht squad to face Glasgow Warriors

Following this morning’s Captain’s Run, Connacht Head Coach Pat Lam named his match day squad to take on Glasgow Warriors in the sold out Guinness PRO12 play-off semi-final tomorrow evening at the Sportsground (Kick Off: 6.30pm – live on TG4, Galway Bay fm, SKY Sports and BBC Scotland).

Galway man Eoin McKeon comes into the back row and is the only change to the starting XV that played against the same opposition in round 22 a fortnight ago.

John Muldoon captains the side from the base of the scrum in what will be the Portumna man’s 274th game for the province.

The back line remains unchanged with try scorer from the last game Bundee Aki and Ireland international Robbie Henshaw retained in midfield. April Player of the Month Niyi Adeolokun and the league’s top try scorer Matt Healy line out on the wings.

Andrew Browne is brought into the match day squad and joins Sean O’Brien among the replacement forwards.

Commenting on the upcoming game, Pat Lam said: “We are under no illusions when it comes to the challenge we face against the defending champions Glasgow who are stacked with players with plenty of experience of test match and knock out rugby. We know they will be much stronger than they were two weeks ago but if we channel our physicality and the excitement into our game, we will be able to meet that challenge head on.

“It’s an exciting time for everyone involved in Connacht Rugby as we head into our first ever PRO12 semi-final. The reason we’ve had such a good record at home this season is the special atmosphere generated by our supporters and we’re all looking to give them another special day to remember in our last home game of the season.”

Connacht team to face Glasgow Warriors, Saturday 21st May, the Sportsground, 6:30pm

15           Tiernan O’Halloran
14           Niyi Adeolokun
13           Robbie Henshaw
12           Bundee Aki
11           Matt Healy
10           AJ MacGinty
9              Kieran Marmion

1              Ronan Loughney
2              Tom McCartney
3              Finlay Bealham
4              Ultan Dillane
5              Aly Muldowney
6              Eoin McKeon
7              Jake Heenan
8              John Muldoon (captain)
Replacements:
16           Dave Heffernan
17           JP Cooney
18           Rodney Ah You
19           Andrew Browne
20           Sean O’Brien
21           John Cooney
22           Shane O’Leary
23           Peter Robb
Injured/Unavailable: Denis Buckley, Nathan White, Conan O’Donnell, Ben Marshall, Nepia Fox-Matamua, Eoghan Masterson, Dave McSharry, Api Pewhairangi, Danie Poolman, Darragh Leader, Ciaran Gaffney.

Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR, 53rd competition game)
Assistant Referees: Nigel Owens (WRU) Stefano Penne (FIR)
Citing Commissioner:   Gwyn Bowden (WRU)
TMO: Carlo Damasco (FIR)