Connacht v Glasgow
Andy Friend has hailed Tiernan O’Halloran's loyalty as the full-back becomes only the fourth Connacht player to reach the 200 cap mark - while Cathal Forde makes his debut at no 10.
O'Halloran, 30, made his debut for the westerners just over 12 years ago at the age of 18 and, when he runs out against Glasgow Warriors at the Sportsground tomorrow (2.55pm), joins John Muldoon, Michael Swift and Denis Buckley in an exclusive club.
"Tiernan’s 200th cap is a huge achievement for him," said head coach Friend.
"To play 200 times for one club is a testament to his loyalty to Connacht, his dedication to the game, and his ability as a footballer.
"The fact that he’s reached the milestone for his home province, having come through the ranks at Connemara RFC and Garbally College, only adds to the achievement."
With Jack Carty in the Ireland squad and Conor Fitzgerald unavailable, academy graduate Cathal Forde makes his senior bow against a Glasgow side that will boast 12 internationals in their ranks.
The Galway native, who has signed a Pro contract from the beginning next season, starts at out-half with scrum-half Kieran Marmion alongside him, while there’s a start on the wing for another academy graduate Diarmuid Kilgallen
Buckley is set for his first involvement since the end of last May having recovered from a cruciate ligament injury, but Connacht are again depending on inexperienced props Jordan Duggan and Greg McGrath to start after qualifying for the Champions Cup knock-outs.
Connacht also have a new look second row of Ultan Dillane and Leva Fifita, while Eoghan Masterson and Paul Boyle also come into the back row.
Forde, an academy graduate, comes in for his senior bow. It's a big day for the Galwegian who has signed a pro contract from the start of next season and he will be steered by his experienced half-back partner Kieran Marmion.
"Tomorrow’s game is a really important one in the context of the URC standings," said Friend.
"We don’t have many home games left so it’s crucial we pick up as many points as possible in these fixtures.
"The results of the last two weeks were disappointing so it’s up to all of us to ensure we do enough for 80 minutes to get the win."
Glasgow Warriors head coach Danny Wilson said: "We know the conditions we could face at The Sportsground and how Connacht like to play, and we’re ready for the challenge they present.
"Connacht are a side who have played well recently and are very consistent at home.
"We welcome back a couple of guys coming back to us at the end of the week from Scotland camp. The boys have trained well and we look forward to the challenge.”
Connacht: Tiernan O’Halloran, Alex Wootton, Tom Farrell, Sammy Arnold, Diarmuid Kilgallen, Cathal Forde, Kieran Marmion; Jordan Duggan, Dave Heffernan, Greg McGrath. Ultan Dillane, Leva Fifita, Eoghan Masterson, Jarrad Butler, Paul Boyle.
Replacements: Shane Delahunt, Denis Buckley, Tietie Tuimauga, Oisin Dowling, Sean Masterson, Colm Reilly, Shayne Bolton, Oran McNulty.
***********
Cardiff Blues v Leinster
Leinster's academy lock Joe McCarthy will make his first senior appearance for the province in tomorrow's URC clash with Cardiff at the Arms Park (7.35pm).
McCarthy's recent performances for UCD in the AIL haven't gone unnoticed by Leo Cullen, who pairs him with the province's record caps holder Devin Toner - who lines out for the 272nd time.
With so many of his frontline players on Six Nations duty, Cullen has made 12 changes from last week's victory at Bath in the Champions Cup.
With his first-choice front row with Ireland, Cullen has gone with Ed Byrne, Seán Cronin and Michael Ala'alatoa in their place and the province will be skippered by Luke McGrath, with Ross Byrne at no 10 and his brother Harry providing back--up.
Cullen has gone with Ciarán Frawley and Jamie Osborne at centre while Jimmy O'Brien, who scored four tries from the left wing last Saturday, moves to full-back, with Adam Byrne and Rory O'Loughlin returning to the side on the flanks.
James Botham returns from injury at no.8 for Cardiff. whose Director of Rugby Dai Young remarked: “The one thing that does focus the mind is playing against Leinster.
"It will be a real big challenge for us and something we’ve spoken about as a squad.
"We’re looking at our win percentages with internationals, which is a lot better than when they’re not available.
"There’s a big onus over the next month to get the results because we’re only as strong as every performance.
"That’s true whether we’ve got internationals or not. It’s important to have the crowd back.
"That gives everyone the buzz and the excitement. When we have had crowds here this season they’ve been excellent and played a big part.
"Hopefully they’ll come out in their numbers and are nice and loud like they have been this season.
"We’ve got a part to play in that, doing the job on the field and giving them something to cheer about. That’s why we play rugby.”
Leinster: Jimmy O'Brien, Adam Byrne, Jamie Osborne, Ciarán Frawley, Rory O'Loughlin, Ross Byrne, Luke McGrath; Ed Byrne, Seán Cronin, Michael Ala'alatoa, Devin Toner, Joe McCarthy, Rhys Ruddock, Will Connors, Scott Penny.
Replacements: James Tracy, Peter Dooley, Vakh Abdaladze, Ross Molony, Max Deegan, Nick McCarthy, Harry Byrne, Tommy O'Brien.
****************
Zebre v Munster
Munster also ring the changes for tomorrow's encounter with Zebre. with just four of last week's final European pool victory over Wasps starting in Parma (5pm Irish time).
One of those starters, Jean Kleyn, reaches the 100 cap milestone for the province and is partnered in the second row by Fineen Wycherley.
Jake Flannery gets the nod at out-half for his fifth start for the Reds - Jack Crowley provides back up from the bench - and Munster will be skippered by last week's man of the match Jack O'Donoghue.
Also included in the back row is John Hodnett, who has made an impressive return from injury and recently signed a new deal with the province.
In all, seven of the 19 Munster players who were involved in AIL action last weekend are included in the matchday squad.
Two of them, Dan Goggin and Liam Coombes, will be partners at centre having faced each other in last week's Limerick derby between Young Munster and Garryowen.
Academy trio Scott Buckley, Alex Kendellen and Paddy Patterson are among the replacements.
David Sisi will captain Zebre having returned from Italy's Six Nations squad alongside Pierre Bruno, Giosuè Zilocchi and Alessandro Fusco.
Munster: Matt Gallagher, Calvin Nash, Liam Coombes, Dan Goggin, Shane Daly, Jake Flannery, Neil Cronin; Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron, Kenyan Knox, Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley, Jack O'Donoghue, John Hodnett, Jack O'Sullivan.
Replacements: Scott Buckley, Josh Wycherley, Roman Salanoa, Thomas Ahern, Alex Kendellen, Paddy Patterson, Jack Crowley, Chris Farrell.
**********************
Ulster v Scarlets
Ulster are in action tonight at Kingspan Stadium when they take on Scarlets (7.35pm).
Dan McFarland has handed exciting talents Ethan McIlroy and Nathan Doak another chance to shine in the backline in a side that will be captained by Alan O'Connor from the second row.
Brad Roberts, the replacement hooker, is joining the Welsh outfit at the end of the season.
Ulster: Ethan McIlroy, Craig Gilroy, Ben Moxham, Angus Curtis, Rob Lyttle, Billy Burns, Nathan Doak; Eric O’Sullivan, John Andrew, Marty Moore, Alan O’Connor, Sam Carter, Greg Jones, Marcus Rea, Duane Vermeulen.
Replacements: Brad Roberts, Jack McGrath, Gareth Milasinovich, Mick Kearney, David McCann, David Shanahan, Ian Madigan, Aaron Sexton.
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
