The knockout stage kicks off in Galway at 21:00 (SA TIme), as Connacht Rugby host the Hollywoodbets Sharks in a first-ever EPCR Challenge Cup clash between URC rivals. Connacht head in confident after a strong domestic win in their last meeting.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks suffered a heavy 44-17 defeat against Connacht in Ireland earlier in their Vodacom URC campaign. However, given the marginal difference between the teams in the competition, with the home side only one log position above the Durbanites and boasting only one more win in the competition to date, it could prove to be an epic encounter.
Making things even more exciting, Connacht are high on confidence after registering five victories in a row in the Vodacom URC, while the Hollywoodbets Sharks come off a two-match winning run at home and realise the importance of building winning momentum.
Connacht Rugby head coach Stuart Lancaster has named his matchday squad with Cian Prendergast returning from a down week to captain the side from the number 8 jersey, with Josh Murphy and Shamus Hurley-Langton making up the rest of the back row.
Joe Joyce comes back into the side to partner Darragh Murray in the second row, while there are starts for props Billy Bohan and Sam Illo, with hooker Dave Heffernan retained.
Matthew Devine starts at scrum-half after his try-scoring cameo off the bench last week, with Josh Ioane alongside him. The final two changes see Chay Mullins replace the injured Finn Treacy on the left wing, and Sam Gilbert start at full-back, having missed the last two games through injury.
Bundee Aki and Cathal Forde continue at centre, and right winger Shane Jennings completes the side.
The coaching team have returned to a 5:3 split on the bench, which includes Lion Finlay Bealham and Academy graduate backs Colm Reilly, Sean Naughton and John Devine.
Head coach Stuart Lancaster said:
“Tomorrow is a change of focus for us, but one we’re really looking forward to. There’s always an edge to knockout rugby, especially against a South African side like the Sharks, who have x-factor quality across the pitch and a new and motivated coaching team.
The support of the fans has played a big part in this winning run we’ve been on, so I’m sure we’ll see more of that brilliant support again tomorrow as we aim to go deep in the competition.”
The Hollywoodbets Sharks head coach JP Pietersen has balanced his side and brought energy into his squad as he looks to build equilibrium, given the injury toll, the test of squad depth and the need to be competitive in the coming weeks as they face a daunting away schedule.
“Injuries test the character of the squad, but it gives the next guy in the squad an opportunity,” Pietersen explains. “It’s a test of how you bounce back as a group.”
Despite the severe injury toll, as well as the demands on the team and the fight for the knockouts in both the Vodacom United Rugby Championship and the EPCR Challenge Cup, Pietersen has been able to name a strong Hollywoodbets Sharks team for Friday’s match.
“We’ve got some reinforcements back, Eben is now available, and hopefully his return is a big help for us.”
Nick Hatton remains at eighthman to captain a side that has 13 changes to the starting line-up, although Springboks Ox Nche, Vincent Koch (in the front row), Etzebeth (lock), and wing Edwill van der Merwe will all add experience and presence to the side, along with another Rugby World Cup winner in Makazole Mapimpi, who is the only other player to have started for the Hollywoodbets Sharks in their victory over Cardiff last week.
Vincent Tshituka and Ethan Hooker add further international pedigree off the bench.
Teams:
Connacht: 15 Sam Gilbert, 14 Shane Jennings, 13 Cathal Forde, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Chay Mullins, 10 Josh Ioane, 9 Matthew Devine, 8 Cian Prendergast (c), 7 Shamus Hurley-Langton, 6 Josh Murphy, 5 Darragh Murray, 4 Joe Joyce, 3 Sam Illo, 2 Dave Heffernan, 1 Billy Bohan. Replacements: 16 Dylan Tierney-Martin, 17 Peter Dooley, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Niall Murray, 20 Paul Boyle, 21 Colm Reilly, 22 Sean Naughton, 23 John Devine.
Hollywoodbets Sharks: 15 Hakeem Kunene, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Le Roux Malan, 12 Marnus Potgieter, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jean Smith, 9 Ross Braude, 8 Nick Hatton (c), 7 Jannes Potgieter, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Ethan Bester, 17 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 18 Mawande Mdanda, 19 Corné Rahl, 20 Vincent Tshituka, 21 Ceano Everson, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Ethan Hooker.