Brideswell brothers go to battle for Connacht

Brideswell brothers Niall and Darragh Murray have been selected in the second row for Connacht's BKT United Rugby Championship clash with Hollywoodbets Sharks on Saturday (Dexcom Stadium, 7.45pm).

The Roscommon brothers will be joined in the pack by hooker Dave Heffernan and props Jordan Duggan and Jack Aungier.

Paul Boyle captains the side from openside flanker, in what is an unchanged back row from the side that started the last game against Munster, with Josh Murphy on the opposite flank and Sean Jansen at number 8.

In the backs, Ben Murphy and Josh Ioane continue their at nine and ten, as do Galway duo Cathal Forde and Hugh Gavin in the centre. Shayne Bolton and Chay Mullins are selected on the wings with Sean Naughton at full-back.

Among the replacements is new signing Sam Gilbert, who will make his debut if called upon, as well as Bundee Aki, fresh from his exploits with Ireland during the November internationals.

Unavailable due to injury are fellow internationals Cian Prendergast, Caolin Blade and Mack Hansen – all of whom will be further assessed next week – as well as Shamus Hurley-Langton, Peter Dooley, Dylan Tierney-Martin, David Hawkshaw and Oisín McCormack, plus long-term absentees Oisín Dowling, Byron Ralston and Temi Lasisi.

Tomorrow’s game is sold out so supporters are asked not to attend without a valid ticket. A number of tickets are on sale for Connacht's remaining home games of 2025 against Black Lion and Ulster.

Connacht Rugby v Hollywoodbets Sharks (Saturday, November 29, 7.45pm).

15. Seán Naughton; 14. Chay Mullins; 13. Hugh Gavin; 12. Cathal Forde; 11. Shayne Bolton; 10. Josh Ioane; 9. Ben Murphy; 1. Jordan Duggan; 2. Dave Heffernan; 3. Jack Aungier; 4. Niall Murray; 5. Darragh Murray; 6. Josh Murphy; 7. Paul Boyle (Captain); 8. Sean Jansen; 16. Eoin de Buitléar; 17. Denis Buckley; 18. Sam Illo; 19. David O’Connor; 20. Seán O’Brien; 21. Matthew Devine; 22. Bundee Aki; 23. Sam Gilbert.