Rugby

Pat Lam makes five changes for ‘phenomenal’ Toulouse challenge

‘Focus remains on executing our game plan in a pressure environment to get us the win’

Pat Lam is aware of the challenge awaiting his Connacht team on Sunday. Photograph: Inpho

Fri Jan 20 2017 - 12:47

Connacht head coach Pat Lam has made five personnel changes to his team to face Toulouse in the final pool game of the Champions Cup this Sunday.

Jack Carty has recovered from injury to take the reins at outhalf while Peter Robb also returns to form a new centre partnership with Craig Ronaldson.

Up front, Ireland international Quinn Roux comes in having missed out last week while the back row is also boosted with the return from injury of flankers Nepia Fox-Matamua and Jake Heenan.

Commenting on the upcoming game, Lam said:

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“We are aware of the phenomenal challenge that awaits us in Toulouse on Sunday but these are the sort of games that you want to be a part of. It’s an opportunity as a player and as a team to put in a performance on the big stage.

“While the right outcome would be massive for Irish Rugby, the focus remains on executing our game plan in a pressure environment to get us the win we need.”

Connacht: Tiernan O'Halloran; Niyi Adeolokun, Peter Robb, Craig Ronaldson, Matt Healy; Jack Carty, Kieran Marmion; Denis Buckley, Tom McCartney, Finlay Bealham; Quinn Roux, James Cannon; Nepia Fox-Matamua, Jake Heenan, John Muldoon (captain).

Replacements: Dave Heffernan, JP Cooney, John Andress, Sean O’Brien, Naulia Dawai, John Cooney, Tom Farrell, Danie Poolman.

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