Aki on Connacht bench as Gilbert set for debut

Bundee Aki has been named on the bench for Connacht's United Rugby Championship game against the Sharks in Galway on Saturday (19:45 GMT).

Aki started Ireland's defeat by world champions South Africa in Dublin last week having appeared off the bench against New Zealand and Australia.

The centre's Ireland team-mates Cian Prendergast, Caolin Blade and Mack Hansen are all ruled out because of injury.

Versatile New Zealand back Sam Gilbert, who joined from the Highlanders last summer, is set to make his debut off the bench.

Paul Boyle captains Connacht from open-side flanker, with Josh Murphy and Sean Jansen completing the back row.

Brothers Niall Murray and Darragh Murray start together in the second row, with Jordan Duggan, Dave Heffernan and Jack Aungier named in the front row.

Ben Murphy and Josh Ioane retain their half-back partnership, while Cathal Forde and Hugh Gavin are retained in the centres. Shayne Bolton and Chay Mullins are named on the wings with Sean Naughton at full-back.

In the backs, Ben Murphy and Josh Ioane continue their partnership at 9 and 10, as do the Galway duo of Cathal Forde and Hugh Gavin in the centre. Shayne Bolton and Chay Mullins are selecting on the wings with Sean Naughton at full-back.

"Tomorrow [Saturday]'s the start of a really important block for us, as we build on the first four games and aim to set ourselves up for success come the end of the season," said Connacht head coach Stuart Lancaster.

"Like any South African side the Sharks have a good mix of power up front and skill out wide, so we have to trust the processes we've worked on in the last few weeks, and feed off the support of the home crowd."

Connacht: Sean Naughton; Chay Mullins, Hugh Gavin, Cathal Forde, Shayne Bolton; Josh Ioane, Ben Murphy; Jordan Duggan, Dave Heffernan, Jack Aungier; Niall Murray, Darragh Murray; Josh Murphy, Paul Boyle (capt), Sean Jansen.

Replacements: Eoin de Buitlear, Denis Buckley, Sam Illo, David O'Connor, Sean O'Brien, Matthew Devine, Bundee Aki, Sam Gilbert.