Match Preview: Connacht v Ulster

This all-Irish affair could well be the game of the weekend, with both teams having won their opening two matches.

There is also the added spice of Ulster being out for revenge having lost at home to the team from Galway in the BKT URC play-off quarter-finals last season.

Connacht coach Pete Wilkins said: “That result will certainly add fuel to their fire. We are expecting them to come at us strong. It will be a really good challenge for us.
“Any game against Ulster comes with enormous edge, a lot of intensity and a lot of physicality. Our encounters with them have been particularly abrasive and exciting in the last few years.

“We stepped up from Ospreys to Glasgow and did a good job last weekend against a quality team, but to have a big inter-pro rival and all the emotion that comes with that from both sides, it’s a really cool challenge as the next piece for us.”

Ulster boss Dan McFarland commented: “The last time we met, we didn’t do ourselves justice. Connacht played very well in that game, we played one of our worst games of the year. There is definitely history around that.

“We have an understanding that we need heart, passion, that feeling of letting ourselves down, but we also need to be clinical and good at the rugby. We have to be on the money rugby-wise, as well as being really pumped up for it.”

As for individuals to watch out for, Connacht centre Cathal Forde has made more carries (32) than any other player in the league this term, while flanker Shamus Hurley-Langton has pulled off the most turnovers (6). Against that, Ulster No 8 Nick Timoney carried 19 times in the victory over the Bulls last weekend, the highest tally in Round 2.

Connacht v Ulster

The Sportsground, Galway – KO 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35  ITA / 21.35  SA

Referee: Morne Ferreira (SARU, 5th league game)

AR 1:  Andrew Cole (IRFU) AR 2: Robbie Jenkinson (IRFU)

TMO: Leo Colgan (IRFU)

Live on: TG4, Viaplay, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Connacht: Tiernan O’Halloran, Byron Ralston, Tom Farrell, Cathal Forde, Diarmuid Kilgallen, Jack Carty (CAPT), Caolin Blade, Denis Buckley, Dylan Tierney-Martin, Jack Aungier, Oisín Dowling, Joe Joyce, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Conor Oliver, Cian Prendergast

Replacements:  Tadgh McElroy,  Jordan Duggan, Dominic Robertson-McCoy, Niall Murray, Jarrad Butler, Colm Reilly, David Hawkshaw,  Andrew Smith

Ulster:  Will Addison, Aaron Sexton, James Hume, Stewart Moore, Ethan McIlroy, Jake Flannery, Dave Shanahan, Eric O’Sullivan, John Andrew, James French, Alan O’Connor (CAPT), Harry Sheridan, Matty Rea, Reuben Crothers, Nick Timoney.

Replacements: Tom Stewart, Andy Warwick, Greg McGrath, Joe Hopes, David McCann, Nathan Doak, Billy Burns, Ben Moxham.