Rugby

Niyi Adeolokun among Connacht starters for trip to Cardiff

Bundee Aki, Kieran Marmion and Ultan Dillane are all missing due to Ireland duty

Connacht’s Niyi Adeolokun starts for their Pro14 clash against Cardiff. Photo: Inpho

Thu Nov 23 2017 - 14:12

Connacht’s new signing Pita Ahki is on the bench for their Pro14 clash with Cardiff Blues on Friday (kick off: 7.35pm, live on BBC2 Wales).

Connacht go into the fixture without Irish internationals Bundee Aki, Kieran Marmion and Ultan Dillane while Jarrad Butler and Craig Ronaldson remain on the injury list.

Niyi Adeolokun, who scored a decisive try in his first start of the season against the Cheetahs, starts again on the wing. Matt Healy on the opposite wing and full-back Tiernan O’Halloran make up the rest of the back three. Eoin Griffin and Tom Farrell make up the centre pairing

Jack Carty and Caolin Blade form the half back pairing with Marmion unavailable due to his involvement with the Irish squad. In the pack Dave Heffernan starts at hooker with Denis Buckley and Finlay Bealham in at loose head and tighthead respectively. The experienced back row includes flankers Eoin McKeon and Jake Heenan with captain John Muldoon in at number 8.

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CONNACHT: Tiernan O'Halloran, Niyi Adeolokun, Eoin Griffin, Tom Farrell, Matt Healy, Jack Carty, Caolin Blade; Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Quinn Roux, James Cannon, Eoin McKeon, Jake Heenan, John Muldoon (Capt).

Replacements: Shane Delahunt, Peter McCabe, Conor Carey, Gavin Thornbury, Eoghan Masterson, James Mitchell, Steve Crosbie, Pita Ahki.

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