Mayo man Heffernan holds on to place in Connacht team

Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins has kept faith with Mayo man Dave Heffernan for the upcoming clash with Scarlets in the BKT United Rugby Championship. The match in Llanelli kicks off at 7.35 p.m. this evening.

Heffernan will play at hooker in between Denis Buckley and Finlay Bealham in an unchanged front row, but there are two alterations elsewhere to the team from their last outing.

Bundee Aki makes his first appearance of the season, last year's World Player of the Year nominee taking his place at inside-centre with Cathal Forde moving to 13 and Piers O’Conor shifting to the wing. Jack Carty also comes into the team for the first time this campaign, replacing Josh Ioane at out-half, who continues his graduated return to play protocols.

The bench sees the inclusion of prop Temi Lasisi, who could make his debut if called upon, and Shayne Bolton, who has recovered from the injury he sustained against Munster.

Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins commented: “Llanelli is always tough place to go for visiting teams, so whilst respecting the Scarlets’ strengths we must make every effort to impose our game and take our opportunities when they arise.

“In Bundee and Jack we have two senior players coming into the starting line-up with a wealth of experience and quality. It says a lot about the strength of the squad this year that we’re able to bring in players of that calibre.

“We will need to perform at our best to get a result and everyone is looking forward to the challenge.”

The Connacht starting team in full is: Santiago Cordero, Mack Hansen, Cathal Forde, Bundee Aki, Piers O'Conor, Jack Carty, Ben Murphy; Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealhamm, Niall Murray, David O’Connor, Josh Murphy, Conor Oliver, Cian Prendergast.

On the replacements' bench are: Dylan Tierney-Martin, Peter Dooley, Temi Lasisi, Oisín Dowling, Paul Boyle, Caolin Blade, David Hawkshaw, Shayne Bolton.