Live

LIVE: The Saturday Panel

01:30 PM-02:30 PM

LIVE: The Saturday Panel
Advertisement

Sport

200 fans allowed inside Sportsground for Connacht's season opener

Connacht will have 200 supporters inside the Sportsground when they open their Guinness PRO14 sea...



Connacht will have 200 supporters inside the Sportsground when they open their Guinness PRO14 season against Glasgow Warriors on Saturday.

Bundee Aki starts in the centre alongside Tom Farrell for the visit of the Scottish side.

Alex Wootton and Peter Sullivan will each make just their second appearances for the province on the wings, while John Porch is named at full-back.

International duo Kieran Marmion and Jack Carty comprise the half-backs.

There's 451 Connacht appearances already under the collective belts of front row trio Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan and Finlay Bealham.

Gavin Thornbury and Quinn Roux start in the second row, with Ultan Dillane ruled out due to a head injury.

Jarrad Butler captains the side from the blindside, with Conor Oliver and Paul Boyle completing the back row.

"It’s always vital you pick up home wins in this competition and Saturday will be no different," said head coach Andy Friend.

"We’re coming up against a very strong Glasgow outfit and our recent record against them isn’t great, but our aim in these opening two weeks is two victories and I firmly believe we can achieve that and start the season on a high."

Connacht XV v Glasgow Warriors: 

15. John Porch
14. Peter Sullivan
13. Tom Farrell
12. Bundee Aki
11. Alex Wootton
10. Jack Carty
9. Kieran Marmion

1. Denis Buckley
2. Dave Heffernan
3. Finlay Bealham
4. Gavin Thornbury
5. Quinn Roux
6. Jarrad Butler (C)
7. Conor Oliver
8. Paul Boyle

16. Jonny Murphy, 17. Jordan Duggan, 18. Jack Aungier, 19. Niall Murray, 20. Seán Masterson, 21. Caolin Blade, 22. Conor Fitzgerald, 23. Sammy Arnold

Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!

Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.


Read more about

Alex Wootton Andy Friend Bundee Aki Connacht Connacht Rugby Glasgow Warriors Guinness Pro14 Pro 14 Quinn Roux Sportsground Ultan Dillane