connacht rugby named a reshuffled matchday squad as they prepare to face Scarlets at Dexcom Stadium on Friday, March 13, 2026, 7: 45 p. m. ET. Head coach Stuart Lancaster made five changes from the win over Glasgow Warriors, handing a first start at outside centre to John Devine and marking a 275th appearance milestone for Denis Buckley.
Connacht Rugby Team Selection and Matchday Details
Stuart Lancaster, head coach, Connacht Rugby, confirmed the selected XV for the BKT United Rugby Championship meeting with Scarlets. There are three alterations in the backs: John Devine starts at 13 after making his debut off the bench in January, Chay Mullins moves onto the left wing and Colm Reilly earns his first start of the season at scrum-half. The out-half, inside centre, right wing and full-back remain Josh Ioane, Cathal Forde, Shane Jennings and Sam Gilbert respectively.
Two changes in the pack see Jack Aungier and Josh Murphy named among the starters. The front row is completed by Denis Buckley and hooker Dylan Tierney-Martin; Buckley’s selection marks his 275th appearance for the province. The second row pair David O’Connor and Joe Joyce continue, with captain Paul Boyle and Sean Jansen completing the loose forwards. Lancaster opted for a 6: 2 bench split, with Seán Naughton covering the backs and Oisín McCormack wearing #23 after a short-term loan spell.
The announcement also repeats a wider availability challenge: 18 players are unavailable across injury and national selection, a constraint the coaching staff framed as opening opportunities for others in the squad. Limited tickets remain on sale for the fixture.
Analysis: What the Selection Signals for the URC Run-In
The selection choices underline a pragmatic approach to squad management and momentum building. By introducing a fresh outside centre in Devine and entrusting Colm Reilly with a starting scrum-half role, the coaching team both rewards pathway progress and manages workload amid multiple absences. That balance between continuity — retained combinations in the halves and back three — and tactical refresh suggests the staff are prioritizing match control while seeking late-game potency that delivered a comeback victory in the previous round.
Denis Buckley’s 275th appearance is both a symbolic and practical anchor in the front row. Experience in key positions will be important as Connacht seek consistent results: the province sits 10th in the table, five points shy of the side occupying eighth, the final knockout spot. Scarlets arrive with only three wins this season, but their improvement and numbers on international duty across Welsh squads mean complacency is not an option.
Expert Perspectives and Team Voice
Stuart Lancaster, head coach, Connacht Rugby, framed the encounter as critical for the club’s playoff ambitions: “Tomorrow is another important game as we aim for playoff rugby, so it’s vital we build on the momentum from the wins over Zebre and Glasgow. ” Lancaster also highlighted the squad depth issue, noting 18 players unavailable through injury and national selection and the chance that presents for others.
Colm Tucker, scrum and contact coach, Connacht Rugby, pointed to the team’s recent strong finishes and the role of training in producing late-game performance: “They kept fighting until the end and they played their best rugby in the last 12 minutes against Glasgow, which is testament to them and how we’re training as well. ” Tucker underscored the impact of the redeveloped stadium atmosphere on results, recalling a 12, 000 sell-out that amplified crowd noise when Seán Jansen scored the decisive try.
The coaching commentary complements the selection: a mix of youth elevation, managed returns, and trusted campaigners aims to preserve the momentum gleaned from recent performances while navigating the injury and international call-up list.
As matchday arrives, attention will center on how the introduced players integrate under the lights at Dexcom Stadium and whether the selection gambits deliver the consistency required to climb toward the knockout positions. With key experience on the field and fresh faces in pivotal roles, connacht rugby confronts a fixture that could crystallize its midseason trajectory.
Will the balance of youth, experience and recent form be enough to convert momentum into a third consecutive league win and move closer to the top eight for connacht rugby?
