skip to main content

Healy and Roux return as Connacht reshuffle backline for Toulouse trip

Matt Healy has returned to full fitness and will start at full-back away to Toulouse
Matt Healy has returned to full fitness and will start at full-back away to Toulouse

Connacht welcome back Quinn Roux to their team for tomorrow's Heineken Champions Cup clash with Toulouse at Stade Ernest Wallon (kick-off 1pm).

Head coach Andy Friend was without 16 members of his squad for last weekend's gritty win over Montpellier and has made seven changes in personnel for the trip to the reigning Top 14 champions.

Bundee Aki, whose future continues to be a talking point, is out of the match-day squad, while Jack Carty is among the replacements.

Roux is joined by Matt Healy, Tom Farrell, last week’s match winner Conor Fitzgerald, Peter McCabe, Dave Robertson and Eoghan Masterson in the starting team.

Dominic Robertson-McCoy has two new front row partners this week in Peter McCabe and Dave Robertson, with Roux linking up with Dillane in the second row.

Masterson is drafted into the backrow, while scrum-half Caolin Blade is set to make his 100th appearance for his home province.

The 25-year-old picked up the man of the match award against Montpellier and  forms a half-back partnership with Fitzgerald.

There is a reshuffle in the backline, with Healy at full-back in a back three that sees Kyle Godwin and John Porch on the wings, while Tom Farrell comes into the midfield alongside Tom Daly.

"We are boosted this week with a number of players returning from injury and the real positive for us is that with a six day turnaround from the Montpellier game we have players coming in fresh into the squad," Friend said.

"Saturday is another challenge for us but one we are really looking forward to."

Connacht: Matt Healy, John Porch, Tom Farrell, Tom Daly, Kyle Godwin, Conor Fitzgerald, Caolin Blade; Peter McCabe, Dave Heffernan, Dominic Robertson-McCoy, Ultan Dillane, Quinn Roux, Eoghan Masterson, Colby Fainga’a, Robin Copeland.

Replacements: Shane Delahunt, Matthew Burke, Finlay Bealham, Joe Maksymiw, Paul Boyle, Angus Lloyd, Jack Carty, Peter Robb.

Toulouse: Thomas Ramos; Yoann Huget, Sofiane Guitoune, Lucas Tauzin, Maxime Médard; Romain Ntamack, Sébastien Bézy; Cyril Baille, Peato Mauvaka, Charlie Faumuina; Richie Gray, Joe Tekori; Alban Placines, Rynhardt Elstadt, Jerome Kaino (capt).

Replacements: Julien Marchand, Thomas du Toit, Dorian Aldegheri, Rory Arnold, Selevasio Tolofua, Francois Cros, Pita Ahki, Pierre Pages.

Listen to live commentary on Ulster v Clermont (7.45pm Friday) on RTÉ Radio 1 extra, and Lyon v Leinster (3.15 Saturday) on RTÉ Radio 1's Saturday Sport

Read Next