THERE is huge excitement in the club this afternoon after three of our own were named in the Connacht squad to take on Munster in Saturday’s BKT United Rugby Championship interpro with Munster at Thomond Park at 7.45pm.
Harry West will make his debut at full-back, Dave Heffernan will win his 222nd cap in the middle of the front row and Fiachna Barrett will make his second entrance from the bench. To have three men who came through the ranks at Heffernan Park lining out together for Connacht against Munster in Thomond Park will be a hugely historic occasion as our President, Daragh Quinn stated.
"It will be a hugely significant day for the club as we will have Dave, Harry and Fiachna on the pitch. To have three men who came through the ranks in Ballina RFC lining out together with Connacht on the one day is testament to the amazing work done by all the coaches and volunteers here in Heffernan Park over the years.
"We're so proud to see Harry set to make his debut on Saturday. He has contributed so much to our club since he first took the field here at Mini Rugby on Saturday mornings and he has played at every level for Ballina Rugby Club. Harry and his family are part of the very fabric of our club and it will be a very special occasion when he runs out on Thomond Park tomorrow.
There are nine changes to the Connacht squad that started the narrow loss to the Bulls last week. Harry is included in a new-look back three with Finn Treacy on the left wing and Byron Ralston shifting from centre to the right wing. Galway natives Cathal Forde and Hugh Gavin are named as the new centre pairing, while Ben Murphy comes in at scrum-half to partner out-half Josh Ioane.
In the pack there are starts for props Jordan Duggan and Sam Illo, while Dave will wear the green for the 222nd time at hooker. In the second row, Joe Joyce comes in to partner Darragh Murray, while Paul Boyle returns from injury to captain the side at openside flanker, alongside Josh Murphy and number 8 Sean Jansen.
The coaching team have gone for a 6:2 split on the bench, with Geesala's Academy prop, Fiachna, among the replacements and Sean O’Brien wearing the number 23 jersey.

Head coach Stuart Lancaster says: “An away interpro is one of the biggest tests in the URC so everyone’s looking forward to the game. Munster are a top-class well-coached side, so firstly we must play as well as I know we can. I’ve heard the Connacht supporters always travel in big numbers for these games so I’m sure they’ll make their voices heard in Thomond Park, and help us finish this first block of games on a high.”

Mayo native and Academy graduate Harry West has been handed his senior Connacht Rugby debut, with the Ballina RFC man starting at full-back.

In the absence of those called up for Ireland duty, there are 9 changes in all from the side that started the narrow loss to the Bulls last week.

West is included in a new-look back three with Finn Treacy on the left wing and Byron Ralston shifting from centre to the right wing. Galway natives Cathal Forde and Hugh Gavin are named as the new centre pairing, while Ben Murphy comes in at scrum-half to partner out-half Josh Ioane.

In the pack there are starts for props Jordan Duggan and Sam Illo, while hooker Dave Heffernan is retained. In the second row, Joe Joyce comes in to partner Darragh Murray, while Paul Boyle returns from injury to captain the side at openside flanker, alongside Josh Murphy and number 8 Sean Jansen.

The coaching team have gone for a 6:2 split on the bench, with Academy prop Fiachna Barrett among the replacements and Sean O’Brien wearing the number 23 jersey.

Head coach Stuart Lancaster says:

“An away interpro is one of the biggest tests in the URC so everyone’s looking forward to the game. Munster are a top-class well-coached side, so firstly we must play as well as I know we can. I’ve heard the Connacht supporters always travel in big numbers for these games so I’m sure they’ll make their voices heard in Thomond Park, and help us finish this first block of games on a high.”

CONNACHT RUGBY MATCHDAY SQUAD VS MUNSTER RUGBY

Saturday 25th October, 7.45pm @ Thomond Park