Connacht have made four changes to their side to take on DHL Stormers in the United Rugby Championship tomorrow afternoon (1pm live on RTÉ2).
With Dave Heffernan and Jack Carty returning to Ireland duty, Shane Delahunt and Conor Fitzgerald step in at hooker and out-half respectively.
The other changes sees Denis Buckley return to the front row, while Alex Wootton comes onto the wing with John Porch moving to full-back.
The rest of the squad that beat Scarlets away last week is unchanged, so Tietie Tuimauga, Niall Murray and Leva Fifita complete the tight five, while the back row is Cian Prendergast, captain Jarrad Butler and Paul Boyle.
Kieran Marmion starts at scrum-half, while Tom Daly and Sammy Arnold are in the centre. Peter Sullivan completes the side from the right wing.
Your DHL Stormers team that will take to the Sportsground in Galway on Saturday for our first-ever clash with @connachtrugby. #iamastormer #dhldelivers @Vodacom #URC
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) February 25, 2022
📆 Saturday, February 26
⏰ 13h00 GMT (15h00 SAST)
🏟️ The Sportsground, Galway pic.twitter.com/ZY3OLwW7OV
Head coach Andy Friend has opted for a 6:2 split on the bench, with Abraham Papali'i wearing the number 23 jersey.
Friend said: "We are close to must-win territory for all our remaining games in the URC, so that’s why last week’s win was so important for us.
"We have done our scout on the Stormers and are very aware of the threats that they bring. We know that we will have to front up physically as they’re a big team.
"We’re in a strong position in terms of available players outside the Irish contingent, so it’s a 23 I know are capable of a winning performance in front of our home fans."
Connacht: John Porch; Peter Sullivan, Sammy Arnold, Tom Daly, Alex Wootton; Conor Fitzgerald, Kieran Marmion; Denis Buckley, Shane Delahunt, Tietie Tuimauga; Niall Murray, Leva Fifita; Cian Prendergast, Jarrad Butler (capt), Paul Boyle.
Replacements: Jonny Murphy, Jordan Duggan, Jack Aungier, Oisin Dowling, Conor Oliver, Caolin Blade, Tom Farrell, Abraham Papali'i.
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Follow all of Ireland's Six Nations games via our live blogs on rte.ie/sport and on the RTÉ News App or listen to live radio coverage on RTÉ Radio 1. Watch live coverage of England v Wales on Saturday 26 Feb (4pm) on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Highlights on Against the Head, Mondays, 8pm.
