Rugby

Connacht make five changes for visit of Stade Francais

Shane Delahunt comes in to the front row to partner Matthew Burke and Finlay Bealham

Connacht’s Shayne Bolton will start in their Champions Cup match against Stade Francais. Photo: James Crombie/Inpho

Fri Dec 10 2021 - 12:30

Champions Cup Pool B: Connacht v Stade Francais

Kick-off: 1pm, Sunday. Venue: Sportsground. On TV: Live on BT Sport.

Connacht have made five changes to the side that lost to Leinster last week for their Champions Cup meeting with Stade Francais on Sunday where Shayne Bolton will make his first European appearance.

Four of those changes come in the forwards with Shane Delahunt coming into the starting 15, forming a front row with props Matthew Burke and Finlay Bealham.

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There’s a new look second row of Oisín Dowling and Niall Murray, while Cian Prendergast is also named in the squad, starting at blindside flanker with Conor Oliver and number 8 Jarrad Butler alongside him.

The final change is at centre where Bolton comes back into the side, starting at number 13 with Sammy Arnold on the inside. The rest of the backs is unchanged with Kieran Marmion alongside captain Jack Carty, and a back three of wingers Mack Hansen and Alex Wootton, and fullback Oran McNulty.

CONNACHT: Oran McNulty; Alex Wootton, Shayne Bolton, Sammy Arnold, Mack Hansen; Jack Carty (capt), Kieran Marmion; Matthew Burke, Shane Delahunt, Finlay Bealham; Oisín Dowling, Niall Murray; Cian Prendergast, Conor Oliver, Jarrad Butler.

Replacements: Dave Heffernan, Jordan Duggan, Dominic Robertson-McCoy, Leva Fifita, Seán Masterson, Caolin Blade, Conor Fitzgerald, Tom Farrell.

STADE FRANCAIS: Telusa Veainu; Paul Champ, Alex Arrate, Ngane Laumape, Lester Etien; Nicolas Sanchez, James Hall; Quentin Bethune, Tolu Latu, Nemo Roelofse; Mathieu De Giovanni, JJ van der Mescht; Marcos Kremer, Charlie Francoz, Tala Gray (capt).

Replacements: Lucas Da Silva, Moses Alo Emile, Paul Alo Emile, Paul Gabrillagues, Loic Godener, William Percillier, Adrien Lapegue.

Referee: Luke Pearce (England).