Rugby

Ireland trio return to Connacht lineup to face Cardiff

Inter-conference clash will see Bundee Aki, Ultan Dillane and Dave Heffernan start

Connacht’s Bundee Aki will start against Cardiff on Saturday. Photo: James Crombie/Inpho

Linley MacKenzie
Fri Feb 19 2021 - 12:42

Pro14: Connacht v Cardiff Blues

Kick-off: 7.35pm, Saturday. Venue: Sportsground. On TV: Live on TG4.

It is all about a Pro14 win for Connacht on Saturday to arrest their current slump at home this season and close the gap on Conference B leaders Munster.

However, opponents Cardiff are in third place, just six points behind Connacht, so there is much at stake for both parties in the race to secure Champions Cup rugby next season.

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It has been a woeful run of results for Andy Friend’s side at the Sportsground this season with four successive defeats and Cardiff have traditionally proven tricky opponents for Connacht. They arrive with Dai Young back in charge on an interim basis - the coach who took his side to two Celtic League finals and a Heineken Cup semi-final during his coaching stint at the club between 2003 and 2011.

The availability of Ireland’s Bundee Aki, Ultan Dillane, and Dave Heffernan, will make up for the loss of Quinn Roux who had shoulder surgery this week, and Friend will look to this trio, in addition to the experienced Finlay Bealham and Jack Carty to get them over the line.

The Blues, without a game in some weeks, will be without some key players, but Connacht’s defence will be mindful of Cardiff’s ability to go wide with a backline that includes Owen Lane, Matthew Morgan at fullback and ReyLee-Lo, in addition to a first senior start for 18-years-old centre Mason Grady. There is also experience up front, Dmitri Arhip with more than 100 appearances for the club and Welsh prop Rhys Carre, while the all-international backrow, known for its poaching ability off the floor, boasts the experienced Josh Turnbull, who captains the side, and former Lions player Ellis Jenkins in his first Pro14 match in 27 months.

Connacht lost to the Blues 29-7 victory in their earlier encounter, and Friend says his team needs to be more clinical in a game which “marks the start of a block that will ultimately define our season.

“We know our home form isn’t where it should be so this is our opportunity to put that right.”

Connacht: John Porch; Alex Wootton, Tom Daly, Bundee Aki, Matt Healy; Jack Carty, Caolin Blade; Jordan Duggan, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham; Ultan Dillane, Gavin Thornbury; Eoghan Masterson, Jarrad Butler, Paul Boyle.

Replacements: Shane Delahunt, Denis Buckley, Jack Aungier, Oisin Dowling, Abraham Papali'i, Kieran Marmion, Sean O'Brien, Tiernan O'Halloran.