skip to main content

Denis Buckley is named in Connacht XV

Connacht Rugby have announced the XV to face Aironi in their last home game of the season on Saturday, kick-off 5pm.

Denis Buckley is the only change to last week's starting side. He joins the front-row in place of the injured Brett Wilkinson.

Wilkinson picked up a calf strain in last week's victory over Ulster and will now face a race against time to be fit for Ireland's summer tour to New Zealand.

Recent victories over the Dragons and Ulster have left Eric Elwood's side well placed to climb the RaboDirect PRO12 table, and with just two points separating Connacht from the Dragons and Treviso, a best ever eighth-place finish is certainly within reach.

Speaking about the selection, head coach Eric Elwood said: "We're looking for a strong performance and to finish the season on a high.

“We've had some excellent results in recent weeks and we hope to build on that and finish on an up.

“It'll be a big day for the likes of Ray (Ofisa) and Henry (Fa'afili) playing in front of the home crowd for the last time so it would be great to give them the send off they deserve and finish with a win."

Connacht team to face Aironi in the RaboDirect PRO12 at The Sportsground on Saturday 21 April, kick-off 5pm:

15 Gavin Duffy (captain)
14 Tiernan O'Halloran
13 Kyle Tonetti
12 Henry Fa'afili
11 Fetu'u Vainikolo
10 Miah Nikora
9 Frank Murphy
1 Denis Buckley
2 Ethienne Reynecke
3 Ronan Loughney
4 Michael Swift
5 Mike McCarthy
6 John Muldoon
7 Ray Ofisa
8 George Naoupu

Replacements:
16 Adrian Flavin
17 Stewart Maguire
18 Rodney Ah You
19 Mick Kearney
20 Johnny O'Connor
21 Paul O'Donohoe
22 Matthew Jarvis
23 Eoin Griffin

Read Next