MacHale Park ticket bonanza for Connacht after Mack Hansen ban controversy as focus turns to Lyon

Fans have snapped up close to 20,000 seats for Connacht's home URC clash with Munster at MacHale Park after only the first day of early access tickets going on sale.

It won't be until Monday before tickets for the March 29 interpro - the first time that Mayo has hosted a fixture in the pro era - go on general sale.

But with a ground capacity of around 25,000 - that number could yet go up, but as of now Connacht are working off it - a sell-out is expected by Monday at the latest for the fixture at the home of Mayo GAA in Castlebar.

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It is a good news story for the province after the controversy surrounding Mack Hansen, who will miss Connacht's next three games - including Saturday's Challenge Cup third round clash with Lyon - but not any of Ireland's Six Nations fixtures after his outburst against match officials.

“I think it was a fair hearing and Mack certainly said that coming out of it," said Wilkins, reacting to Thursday's disciplinary hearing and suspension. "So, as I said, we have to accept what was handed down.

“There's been so much media coverage of it and we just have to move on now, really. And I think at least Mack got the certainty in his mind and and from the referees and URC side of things they've got, a black and white resolution, and they can get on with things as well."

A general view of MacHale Park
(Image: ©INPHO/Tom Maher)

Chay Mullins comes in for Hansen as Wilkins has rung the changes for the Dexcom Stadium clash on Saturday night- four in the backline, five in the pack - for the visit of the French side as Connacht look for their third straight win in the pool stages.

Josh Ioane and Ben Murphy move into the half-back positions while Mullins and Shane Jennings take up the wing positions, with Santi Cordero switching to full-back and Piers O'Conor to centre. Cathal Forde, Jack Carthy and Caolin Blade drop to the bench.

Connacht: S Cordero, C Mullins, P O’Conor, B Aki, S Jennings, J Ioane, B Murphy; P Dooley, D Heffernan, F Bealham, O Dowling, J Joyce, C Prendergast, S Hurley-Langton, S Jansen.

Replacements: D Tierney-Martin, J Duggan, J Aungier, J Murphy, P Boyle, C Blade, C Forde, D Hawkshaw.

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