Does This Move By Pat Lam Suggest Ultan Dillane Is On His Way To Munster?

Pat Lam has benched Ultan Dillane for Connacht’s opening round fixture in the Champions Cup this weekend.

The Irish lock has been replaced by South African Quinn Roux in the second row with no indication as to why Dillane has been unceremoniously dropped.

Reports earlier this week have suggested that Dillane has turned down a new deal with Connacht in favour of a move back to Munster with his contract set to run out in June of next year.

Lam’s dropping of Dillane in such a crucial European fixture against Toulouse this weekend perhaps suggests he is preparing for life without the towering lock.

Connacht:

15           Tiernan O’Halloran
14           Niyi Adeolokun
13           Bundee Aki
12           Craig Ronaldson
11           Cian Kelleher
10           Jack Carty
9             Caolin Blade

1              Finlay Bealham
2              Dave Heffernan
3              Conor Carey
4              Quinn Roux
5              Andrew Browne
6              Eoin McKeon
7              Jake Heenan
8              John Muldoon (captain)

Replacements:

16           Shane Delahunt
17           Ronan Loughney
18           JP Cooney
19           Ultan Dillane
20          Sean O’Brien
21           Kieran Marmion
22           Shane O’Leary
23           Stacey Ili