Connacht name team to face Munster

March 28, 2025
229
Ultimate Rugby

The Connacht Rugby matchday squad has been named for tomorrow’s historic and vital BKT United Rugby Championship meeting with Munster at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park (k/o 2.30pm).

The Connacht coaching team led by Cullie Tucker have been able to call upon all four Irish internationals who missed last week’s trip to the Ospreys, led by captain Cian Prendergast at blindside flanker.

He forms a back row with Shamus Hurley-Langton and Sean Jansen, while the second row of Darragh Murray and Joe Joyce is unchanged. In the front row, Jordan Duggan and Finlay Bealham both come into the starting side, alongside Mayo man Dave Heffernan on what will be a proud day for the Ballina native.

In the backs, Caolin Blade and Josh Ioane continue at #9 and #10, while Bundee Aki starts at inside centre to form an exciting partnership with Hugh Gavin. Mack Hansen comes into the side at full-back, with Finn Treacy and Chay Mullins on the wings.

The coaching group have opted for a 5:3 split on the bench, with Santiago Cordero wearing #23.

A final attendance of well over 26,000 is expected, which will almost treble the club’s current all-time attendance record. It’s also the first time a professional Connacht game is held in County Mayo, and the first time rugby is played at the Castlebar venue in its 95-year history.

Tickets were sold out within an hour of going on general sale in January, and supporters are asked not to visit the ground without a valid ticket.

The game will be live on TG4, with radio commentary on RTE, Galway Bay FM, Midwest Radio and Live 95.

Cullie Tucker says:

“The history and importance of this game is not lost on us. We appreciate and recognise what this fixture means to the people of Mayo and the wider province, and all the players and management feel extremely fortunate to be involved in the day in some way.

Inside the camp we’re also aware of just how important this game is in the context of our overall season. If we can pick it up the win against strong opposition, we'll be in a good spot in a very tight league before heading to South Africa next month.

It’s our job from top to bottom to deliver a performance befitting of the occasion, and with over 20,000 Connacht fans cheering the boys on, I know they will do everything in their power to back that up.”

CONNACHT RUGBY MATCHDAY SQUAD VS MUNSTER

14:30, Saturday 29th March 2025 @ Hastings Insurance MacHale Park

Number/Name/Caps

15. Mack Hansen (38)

14. Chay Mullins (6)

13. Hugh Gavin (5)

12. Bundee Aki (146)

11. Finn Treacy (3)

10. Josh Ioane (11)

9. Caolin Blade (206)

1. Jordan Duggan (57)

2. Dave Heffernan (213)