Connacht name team for tomorrow's meeting with Newcastle FalconsDetails Published: Friday, 20 January 2023 12:03 The Connacht management team have made six changes to their starting XV ahead of tomorrow’s EPCR Challenge Cup clash with Newcastle Falcons. Victory for Connacht will guarantee a home draw in the knockout stages. Fresh off his Ireland inclusion in the Six Nations, Finlay Bealham forms the front row with Buckley and Delahunt, while Josh Murphy keeps his place in the second row. The back row is completed by captain Jarrad Butler at number 8, and openside flanker Conor Oliver. Colm Reilly is retained at scrum-half, while the Cathal Forde-Byron Ralston combo at centre continues after impressive performances last weekend.
Connacht v Newcastle Falcons – RugbyMatch Report Connacht begin Challenge Cup campaign with a winning start Connacht have recorded a winning start to their Challenge Cup campaign, with a 22-8 win over the Newcastle Falcons at The Sportsground this evening. On a night where Adam Byrne would make his first start in green, he made an impact with one of the tries of the season, while Buccaneers star Oisin McCormack came off the bench to become the 946th player to earn a cap for the province. Connacht struck early laying siege to the Newcastle line, the pack was doing all the damage but Paul Boyle picked from the back of the maul and drove over for their opening try in the third minute, David Hawkshaw with the conversion for a 7-0 lead.
The visitors took their time to get back into the tie, Tian Schoeman landed a penalty after 19 minutes to reduce the arrears, before a well worked move was finished off by Nathan Earle in the corner as Falcons moved 8-7 clear by the 25th minute. It was a nip and tuck half on a cold night in Galway, but Connacht would get back into the game with an out of this world try for Adam Byrne, getting his first try in Connacht colours to restore the lead out to 14-8 after 37 minutes. Schoeman missed a drop goal attempt two minutes into the second half for Falcons, while Hawkshaw would also have a failed attempt at the posts from a penalty. A game for both defences but the errors were there as both made unnecessary mistakes.
Byrne is named on the right wing, with Alex Wootton on the left and Mack Hansen again named at full-back. CONNACHT RUGBY MATCHDAY 23 VS NEWCASTLE FALCONS Saturday 21st January, 17:30 @ Kingston Park Number/Name/Caps 15. Mack Hansen (23) 14. Adam Byrne (4) 13. Byron Ralston (11) 12. Cathal Forde (6) 11.
Connacht fans torn on performance against Newcastle
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