Buckley to earn 250th appearance for Connacht

September 27, 2024
109
Ultimate Rugby

Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins has named his matchday squad for tomorrow’s BKT United Rugby Championship clash against the Hollywoodbets Sharks at Dexcom Stadium (k/o 7.35pm).

There are four changes from the side that narrowly lost to Munster last week. Niall Murray and Shane Jennings come in for the injured Joe Joyce and Shayne Bolton, while Finlay Bealham and debutant David O’Connor replace Jack Aungier and Darragh Murray, who were both selected in the Emerging Ireland tour of South Africa.

Meanwhile it’s a landmark appearance for prop Denis Buckley who will make his 250th appearance for the club. The Roscommon man becomes just the third player to reach the milestone – after John Muldoon and Michael Swift – and lines out in a front row of three double centurions, with Dave Heffernan and Bealham alongside him.

The only change on the 6-2 bench sees Paul Boyle wear the number 23 shirt in place of Sean Jansen who has also linked up with Emerging Ireland.

The game is sold out for what will be the first competitive fixture at Dexcom Stadium during the redevelopment, however limited hospitality tickets are still available at connachtrugby.ie/tickets.

Head coach Pete Wilkins says:

“I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s game. Our intensity and overall performance last week was encouraging despite the bitter disappointment of the result. Against a very strong Sharks team we will require a repeat of that effort along with evidence of growth in our game from round one.

Picking up home wins in such a tight league will be crucial, and I know the sold out Dexcom crowd will provide huge energy to the lads regardless of the slightly different surroundings.

It’s an important day for two of our players for very different reasons – with Denis earning his 250th cap and David O’Connor his debut. We’re determined to give them a fitting performance.”

CONNACHT RUGBY MATCHDAY 23 VS HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS
19:35, Saturday 28th September 2024 @ Dexcom Stadium

Number/Name/Caps (* denotes uncapped)

15. Santiago Cordero (3)

14. Mack Hansen (33)

13. Piers O’Conor (1)

12. Cathal Forde (32)

11. Shane Jennings (14)

10. Josh Ioane (1)

9. Ben Murphy (1)

1. Denis Buckley (249)

2. Dave Heffernan (201)

3. Finlay Bealham (204)