Connacht make three changes for home tie with Brive

Darragh Leader, James Connolly and James Mitchell all come into the Connacht side to take on Brive in their Challenge Cup clash at the Sportsground on Saturday (kick off: 3pm).

Leader comes into the side at full back, Connolly is in at openside and Mitchell makes his first start for the province at scrum half. Connacht sit on top of Pool Five after three rounds and a win at home to Brive would put them in an excellent position to qualify for a home quarter-final.

Sligo native and Academy player Cillian Gallagher is retained in the starting lineup at blindside after making his first start last weekend. For the second time this season, Eoghan Masterson is set to the captain the side from number 8.

There is a huge amount of experience on the bench with Tom McCartney, John Muldoon, Kieran Marmion and Tiernan O’Halloran named among the replacements.

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CONNACHT: Darragh Leader, Cian Kelleher, Pita Ahki, Bundee Aki, Matt Healy, Jack Carty, James Mitchell; Denis Buckley, Shane Delahunt, Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, Quinn Roux, Cillian Gallagher, James Connolly, Eoghan Masterson (c).

Replacements: Tom McCartney, Peter McCabe, Conor Carey, James Cannon, John Muldoon, Kieran Marmion, Tom Farrell, Tiernan O’Halloran.