Henshaw named in Connacht team as outbreak of flu disrupts plans for Toulouse clash
Connacht Head Coach Pat Lam has named his side for the return leg of the back-to-back fixtures against Stade Toulousain at the Sportsground in Galway tomorrow (Saturday).
Lam has made three starting XV changes to the team that recorded a sensational win over the four-time European champions 16-14 last weekend.
All these changes come in the pack as Connacht look to record three consecutive wins for the first time in their Heineken Cup history.
Jason Harris-Wright and Rodney Ah You come in to the front row in place of Sean Henry and Nathan White. Galway-man Eoin McKeon has been named to start at Number 8 in a back row with John Muldoon and Jake Heenan.
In the backs, 20-year-old Irish international and Athlone native Robbie Henshaw is at full-back, while Dan Parks and try-scorer Kieran Marmion make up the half back pairing for this sold-out clash.
Commenting on the team selection and the upcoming game, Head Coach Pat Lam said: “Our week was certainly disrupted with an outbreak of the flu affecting twelve of our squad members. We had to curtail the session yesterday and were restricted in what we could do. But these things are out of control and thankfully a lot of the guys are feeling better today after some rest.'
“We’ve made some changes to the pack after what was a hugely physical game last week. Unfortunately we lost Michael Swift to injury but we have the experience of Andrew (Browne) returning to the match squad this week.
“Last weekend’s game was the biggest challenge we faced as a team, and we overcame that, but now we’re up against another massive challenge. We’re playing a vengeful Toulouse who will come here determined to turn around last week’s defeat.
“Like everyone we want the win, but as with every game our focus is on the process of winning the game. It’s going to be an fantastic atmosphere with the Sportsground sold-out and I know that will only add to the occasion and drive the team on,” added Lam.
Connacht line-up v Toulouse
15. Robbie Henshaw
14. Fionn Carr
13. Eoin Griffin
12. Dave McSharry
11. Matt Healy
10. Dan Parks
9. Kieran Marmion
1. Brett Wilkinson
2. Jason Harris-Wright
3. Rodney Ah You
4. Mick Kearney
5. Craig Clarke (captain)
6. John Muldoon
7. Jake Heenan
8. Eoin McKeon
Replacements:
16. Sean Henry
17. Denis Buckley
18. Nathan White
19. Andrew Browne
20. George Naoupu
21. Frank Murphy
22. Craig Ronaldson
23. Gavin Duffy
Unavailable/Injured: Michael Swift, Ronan Loughney, Willie Faloon, Mata Fifita, Danie Poolman, Tiernan O’Halloran, Miah Nikora, and Kyle Tonetti.
Connacht v Toulouse
Saturday 14th December
At the Sportsground
Kick off 6pm
On Sky Sports 2 Red Button
Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU)
Assistant Refs: Gwyn Morris & Chris Williams (both WRU)
TMO: Paul Adams (WRU)
Citing Commissioner: Dennis Jones (WRU)