Carty And Murray Involved In Connacht's First United Rugby Championship Outing

Thursday, 23 September 2021 at 13:34

Head Coach Andy Friend has named his starting xv.

Mack Hansen is set to make his Connacht debut tomorrow.

The former Australia underage player is named to start on the wing for their United Rugby Championship clash with Cardiff.

Tom Farrell returns from injury to take his place alongside Tom Daly in the centre.

Athlone's Jack Carty retains his place at out-half while fellow Athlone product Niall Murray will hope to make an impact from the bench.

Speaking on his first team announcement of the new season, Head Coach Andy Friend says:

“It’s been a really productive pre-season campaign so we’re all really looking forward to this URC opener. It’s a difficult opening game as Cardiff are always a formidable outfit especially at home, but we’ve prepared in the right way and are confident we can put in a really strong performance.

Mack Hansen has been very impressive since arriving so fully deserves his first start, and in Hubert Gilvarry we have another Connacht native ready to make his debut if called upon. I know his inclusion in the matchday 23 will be a very proud day for all at Sligo RFC and Sligo Grammar School.

Thumbs up if you're happy it's #URC team news day 👍 😃#CARvCON @URCOfficial pic.twitter.com/LRFUhVPfVx
— Connacht Rugby (@connachtrugby) September 23, 2021

CONNACHT RUGBY MATCHDAY 23 VS CARDIFF RUGBY
Friday 24th September, Cardiff Arms Park @ 19:35

Number/Name/Caps (* denotes uncapped)
15. Tiernan O’Halloran (190)
14. John Porch (40)
13. Tom Farrell (62)
12. Tom Daly (49)
11. Mack Hansen *
10. Jack Carty (159)
9. Kieran Marmion (187)
1. Matthew Burke (23)
2. Shane Delahunt (100)
3. Finlay Bealham (159)
4. Oisin Dowling (7)
5. Ultan Dillane (114)
6. Cian Prendergast (10)
7. Conor Oliver (20)
8. Jarrad Butler (73) (C)

16. Dave Heffernan (144)
17. Jordan Duggan (13)
18. Dominic Robertson-McCoy (68)
19. Niall Murray (18)
20. Paul Boyle (57)
21. Hubert Gilvarry *
22. Conor Fitzgerald (36)
23. Sammy Arnold (16)