Carty and henshaw to face highly rated leinster side
CONNACHT Head Coach Pat Lam has made one change to his starting line-up for the Guinness PRO12 interpro clash with Leinster at the Sportsground in Galway tonight (7.35pm, TG4).
Lock Aly Muldowney replaces Mick Kearney for his first start of the season. Irish qualified Muldowney joins the on-loan Quinn Roux in the second-row partnership, while Galway man John Muldoon will captain the side from the back-row.
Athlone natives Robbie Henshaw and Jack Carty are selected in the side, while recent Buccaneers signing Shane Delahunt, from Birr, is one of a few new introductions on the substitutes bench.
There are no changes to the young back-line where 22-year-old Carty, who earned his first start against Leinster in Galway last season, keeping hold of the reigns at out-half. Ireland international Kieran Marmion, who plays his 56th consecutive game since his debut in September 2012, makes up the half-back pairing.
Carty has played in both Connacht’s opening two PRO12 games - both ending in victories against Newport Gwent Dragons and Edinburgh - while Henshaw returned to the side for the Edinburgh game having completed his recovery from injury.
Speaking about the match, Pat Lam said: ““There’s no doubt we’re all hugely excited. This is a brilliant opportunity for our young side to test themselves against a world-class side full of quality individuals.”
Tickets for Connacht v Leinster are going fast with the Clan Stand and Main Stand now sold out. There are limited tickets remaining for behind the goals, in the Enclosed Stand, and the newly installed Seated Stand. Visit the Connacht rugby website for details.
Connacht line-up v Leinster
15. Darragh Leader; 14. Niyi Adeolokun, 13. Robbie Henshaw, 12. Dave McSharry, 11. Danie Poolman, 10. Jack Carty, 9. Kieran Marmion; 1. Denis Buckley, 2. Dave Heffernan, 3. Nathan White, 4. Aly Muldowney, 5. Quinn Roux, 6. John Muldoon, 7. Willie Faloon, 8. Eoin McKeon.
Replacements: 16. Shane Delahunt, 17. Ronan Loughney, 18. Rodney Ah You, 19. Mick Kearney, 20. George Naoupu, 21. Ian Porter, 22. Craig Ronaldson, 23. Matt Hea.