Mayo man Heffernan starts as new-look Connacht commence URC campaign

Mayo man Dave Heffernan has been named to start for a new-look Connacht Rugby team in tomorrow’s BKT URC opener against Ulster at Kingspan Stadium (k.o. 7.35 p.m.).

Lock Gavin Thornbury, making his 64th appearance for the province, will captain a squad that includes three debutants on the starting team and a possible two more coming off the bench.

Peter Dooley, Josh Murphy and Byron Ralston have all been handed their first Connacht cap, with Shamus Hurley-Langton and David Hawkshaw also potential debutants off the bench.

Dooley is named in a front row with Jack Aungier and hooker Heffernan, the Ballina native, while Leva Fifita partners Thornbury in the second row. The pack is completed by flanker Conor Oliver and number eight Paul Boyle.

Kieran Marmion and Conor Fitzgerald are paired together at half-back, while the two Toms – Daly and Farrell – start at centre. Ralston’s first game will be on the right wing, with John Porch on the opposite wing and Tiernan O’Halloran at full-back.

Commenting on the team announcement, director of rugby Andy Friend said: “We’ve had a very positive pre-season and there’s now a huge sense of excitement among the group. There’s a genuine belief and optimism about what we can achieve in this first block of games, which all starts in Belfast tomorrow night.

“Ulster are a quality side and our battles against them are always hard fought. We’re really looking forward going head-to-head with them in what should be a great season opener for us both.”

The Connacht squad in full is: Tiernan O’Halloran, Byron Ralston, Tom Farrell, Tom Daly, John Porch, Conor Fitzgerald, Kieran Marmion; Peter Dooley, Dave Heffernan, Jack Aungier, Gavin Thornbury, Leva Fifita, Josh Murphy, Conor Oliver, Paul Boyle. The replacements are: Dylan Tierney-Martin, Denis Buckley, Sam Illo, Niall Murray, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Caolin Blade, David Hawkshaw, Oran McNulty.