A crowd of more than 12,000 is expected
at Dexcom Stadium on Friday night, and Connacht
have been handed a genuine opportunity to end
their miserable recent record against Leinster.

Leinster arrive in Galway having dominated this
fixture for several seasons, including a 52-17
victory over Connacht at the Aviva Stadium
earlier this year.

But Friday’s contest looks very different
following the announcement of the two teams.

Leo Cullen has selected a much-changed Leinster
side featuring several academy players, while
Stuart Lancaster has named an experienced Connacht
pack and a particularly strong bench.

The atmosphere should be excellent, although
Leinster will bring a sizeable travelling support.
An estimated 80/20 split in Connacht’s favour
would still mean around 2,400 visiting supporters
in a crowd of 12,000.

Leinster opened as seven-point favourites,
but the team announcements have certainly
made that handicap more interesting.

Connacht Make Sweeping Changes for Leinster

Stuart Lancaster has made wholesale changes
from the side that defeated Zebre last weekend,
with Finlay Bealham, Paul Boyle and Cathal Forde
the only three players retained in the
starting XV.

Boyle captains the side from number eight,
with Sean O’Brien and Will Connors alongside
him in the back row.

Connors makes his first start for Connacht,
while Josh Murphy and David O’Connor form
a new second-row partnership.

The front row contains plenty of experience,
with Francois van Wyk joined by Dave Heffernan
and Finlay Bealham.

Bealham’s inclusion is particularly welcome.
The Ireland tighthead had been expected to
miss further action, but his return gives
Connacht a significant boost.

Heffernan is also fit to start after
being monitored with a calf problem.

At half-back, Caolin Blade partners Seán
Naughton, who makes his first start of
the season at out-half.

Harry West misses out through injury,
meaning John Devine starts at outside
centre alongside Cathal Forde.

The back three features Shayne Bolton
and academy youngster Daniel Ryan on
the wings, with Josh Ioane at full-back.

Ioane’s inclusion gives Connacht another
playmaking option, while Bolton’s return
adds pace and physicality out wide.

Connacht Bench Could Be the Difference

One of the most encouraging aspects of
the Connacht selection is the strength
of the replacements.

Niall Murray, Shamus Hurley-Langton,
Colm Reilly, Finn Treacy and Sam Gilbert
are all named among the eight substitutes.

Murray is in line to make his 100th
appearance for Connacht, a special milestone
for the Roscommon native.

The lock has become an important member
of the provincial squad and will be
hoping to mark the occasion with
a victory over Leinster.

Hurley-Langton’s return is another major
boost. The flanker brings physicality,
work rate and a strong presence at
the breakdown.

Colm Reilly offers an experienced
scrum-half option, while Finn Treacy
and Sam Gilbert provide further
choices in the backline.

Lancaster Wants Connacht to Finish on a High

Connacht head coach Stuart Lancaster believes
his side are making progress and wants the
players to deliver a strong performance
in front of a huge home crowd.

Lancaster also pointed to the importance
of squad depth, with 13 players unavailable
through injury and international commitments.

The Connacht coach also referenced last
season’s big occasion in Mayo and the
lessons learned from that experience.

Connacht will be hoping the players can
use the occasion to their advantage
rather than allow it to become
an additional source of pressure.

Cian Prendergast: Representing the West

Connacht’s connection with their supporters
was central to Cian Prendergast’s comments
ahead of the Leinster fixture.

That connection between the team and
the supporters has always been one
of Connacht’s biggest strengths.

With more than 12,000 expected on
Friday night, the players have an
opportunity to deliver a performance
that gives the crowd plenty to
get behind.

Leinster Ring the Changes

Leinster have named a very different
side from the one that hammered Connacht
52-17 at the Aviva Stadium earlier
this year.

Max Deegan captains the team, while
Jordan Larmour makes his first
appearance of the season.

Academy centre Connor Fahy is set
to make his senior debut, with fellow
academy player Alex Mullan also
hoping to earn his first cap
from the bench.

Joey Carbery starts at out-half
alongside Fintan Gunne, while
Charlie Tector partners Fahy
in midfield.

Joshua Kenny and Todd Lawlor
join Larmour in the back three.

Up front, Gus McCarthy starts
at hooker between Alex Usanov
and Niall Smyth.

Brian Deeny and Alan Spicer
form the second row, with
Deegan, Scott Penny and
James Culhane completing
the back row.

There is still plenty of quality
in this Leinster selection,
particularly with Carbery,
Larmour, Deegan and Penny
involved.

But this is not the star-studded
Leinster side Connacht faced
in Dublin, and the home
side will surely see
an opportunity.

Leo Cullen Pays Tribute to Sean Coppinger

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen also
paid tribute to the late Sean
Coppinger, Connacht’s long-serving
groundsman, ahead of Friday’s fixture.

The Form Book: Leinster’s Dominance

Connacht may have reason for optimism
following the team announcements,
but the recent statistics make
difficult reading for supporters
in the west.

Those figures show the scale
of Connacht’s challenge, but
Friday’s team selections make
this a very different contest
from recent meetings.

Confirmed Connacht Team v Leinster

Captain: Paul Boyle

Confirmed Leinster Team v Connacht

Captain: Max Deegan

Connacht Injury and Availability News

Connacht have 13 players unavailable
through injury and international
commitments, according to head
coach Stuart Lancaster.

Mack Hansen remains a long-term
absentee, while Hugh Gavin,
Temi Lasisi, Oisín Dowling
and Byron Ralston have also
been dealing with injury problems.

Harry West misses Friday’s game
through injury, with John Devine
starting at outside centre.

There is better news with Finlay
Bealham, Dave Heffernan, Shayne
Bolton and Shamus Hurley-Langton
all included in the matchday squad.

Josh Ioane is also fit and
starts at full-back.

Where the Game Could Be Won

Connacht’s Experienced Front Row

Finlay Bealham and Dave Heffernan
have 468 Connacht appearances
between them.

That experience could prove
important against a Leinster
front row containing relatively
inexperienced props.

Connacht will want to establish
themselves at scrum time and
provide their half-backs with
a reliable platform.

Seán Naughton v Joey Carbery

Seán Naughton makes his first
start of the season and faces
an interesting challenge
against Joey Carbery.

Carbery brings considerable
experience, but Naughton
has an opportunity to
make a statement.

His decision-making and
territorial kicking will
be important, particularly
if Connacht are to keep
Leinster pinned back.

The Bench Battle

This is where Connacht
could have an advantage.

Niall Murray, Shamus Hurley-Langton,
Colm Reilly, Finn Treacy and
Sam Gilbert provide plenty
of experience and options.

Leinster also have experienced
replacements, particularly
Peter Dooley, but Connacht
will be confident about
their ability to finish
the game strongly.

If the contest is close
with 20 minutes remaining,
the home bench could
make the difference.

Handling the Occasion

A crowd of more than 12,000
will create a major atmosphere
at Dexcom Stadium.

Connacht will want to start
quickly and give their
supporters something to
get behind.

But they must also remain
disciplined and avoid
allowing the emotion
of the occasion to
affect their decision-making.

Connacht v Leinster Betting Preview

Final Verdict: Could This Be Connacht’s Night?

Connacht’s recent record
against Leinster is dreadful.

Ten consecutive URC defeats,
eleven straight losses against
Irish provinces and just one
win in their last seven
league outings.

On those numbers alone,
Leinster would be the
obvious selection.

But Friday is different.

Leinster have named a much-changed
team, Connacht have several
experienced players returning,
and the home bench looks
particularly strong.

There is still plenty of
talent in the Leinster side,
and writing off any team
coached by Leo Cullen
would be foolish.

But Connacht have a real
opportunity here.

With Bealham and Heffernan
starting up front, Blade
at scrum-half and a bench
featuring Murray and
Hurley-Langton, Lancaster
has the players to make
this a serious contest.

There was a time when
Connacht supporters might
have been hoping the IRFU
would have a quiet word
with Leo Cullen and
persuade him to send
down his D team.

Well, he’s certainly sent
a very different Leinster
side to the one that
hammered Connacht at
the Aviva.

Now Connacht have to
take advantage.

Team selections and comments are based on
the matchday announcements supplied ahead
of the fixture. Betting selections and
predictions are editorial opinion.