Quarter Final Challenge
John Afoa
By New Cherry
March 30 2018
Gloucs are heading off to Ireland determined to silence the vocal Connacht crowd. With John Afoa striding out for his centenary Cherry and White appearance it will be an experienced side which has been tasked with getting to the semi-final of the European Challenge Cup ..
The pack has been beefed up with Ben Morgan and Ross Moriartry recalled in the back row. Val Rapava Ruskin is at loosehead and Ed Slater and Jeremy Thrush team up in the second row.
In the backs there's a switch at fly half with Billy Burns on the bench and Owen Williams starting.
Gloucs: 15. Jason Woodward; 14. Charlie Sharples, 13. Henry Trinder, 12. Mark Atkinson, 11. Tom Marshall; 10. Owen Williams, 9. Willi Heinz (captain); 1. Val Rapava Ruskin, 2. James Hanson, 3. John Afoa; 4. Ed Slater, 5. Jeremy Thrush; 6. Ross Moriarty, 7. Lewis Ludlow, 8. Ben Morgan
Reps: Motu Matu'u, Josh Hohneck, Fraser Balmain, Tom Savage, Ruan Ackermann, Callum Braley, Billy Burns, Billy Twelvetrees
Our hosts have the luxury of being able to recall Ireland internationals Bundee Aki and Kieran Marmion and have their own centenarians in Jack Carty and Dave Heffernan.
Connacht: 15 Tiernan O’Halloran 14 Niyi Adeolokun 13 Bundee Aki, 12 Tom Farrell, 11 Matt Healy, 10 Jack Carty, 9 Kieran Marmion, 1 Denis Buckley, 2 Tom McCartney, 3 Finlay Bealham, 4 Gavin Thornbury, 5 Quinn Roux, 6 Eoin McKeon, 7 Jarrad Butler, 8 John Muldoon (Capt).
Reps: Dave Heffernan, Peter McCabe, Conor Carey, Ultan Dillane, Eoghan Masterson, Caolin Blade, Craig Ronaldson, Darragh Leader.