Return of the Mack for Connacht, with Mayo presence in starting XV too

Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins has named his match day squad for tomorrow’s BKT United Rugby Championship opener away to Munster (kick-off 5.30 p.m.), with Mayo native Dave Heffernan taking his place in the starting XV at hooker.

Elsewhere it's a case of 'Return of the Mack' as winger Mack Hansen starts his first competitive match since sustaining a serious shoulder injury on New Year’s Day.

Cian Prendergast captains the side, which includes several players either making debuts or returning from long absences.

Santiago Cordero comes straight into the starting XV after featuring for Argentina in the Rugby Championship, while Josh Murphy also starts his first game since May 2023 after completing his medical placement.

There are three players making their Connacht debuts – the new half-back duo of Ben Murphy and Josh Ioane as well as Piers O’Conor at outside centre.

Prop Jack Aungier starts at tighthead alongside double centurions Heffernan and Denis Buckley, while Joe Joyce and Darragh Murray are in the second row. Conor Oliver completes the pack as the openside flanker.

In the backs, Cathal Forde is named at inside centre, while Shayne Bolton completes an exciting back three on the left wing alongside Hansen and Cordero.

Head coach Pete Wilkins commented: “We can’t wait to get the season going. It was a shorter and more intense pre-season than last year, with three productive games in the last few weeks, so now it’s about delivering what I believe we’re capable of.

“We’re very fortunate to have over 40 players available to us. This has helped drive standards in training and competition for places, and gives us a nice challenge reducing the group to a match day 23.

“We know what to expect from Munster and Thomond Park, so it’s a brilliant opportunity for us to start the year on a positive note.”

The Connacht starting XV in full is as follows: Santiago Cordero, Mack Hansen, Piers O’Conor, Cathal Forde, Shayne Bolton, Josh Ioane, Ben Murphy; Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Jack Aungier, Joe Joyce, Darragh Murray, Josh Murphy, Conor Oliver, Cian Prendergast.

The replacements' bench features: Dylan Tierney-Martin, Peter Dooley, Sam Illo, Oisín Dowling, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Caolin Blade, David Hawkshaw and Sean Jansen.