Connacht have announced their
squad that will face old time rivals Harlequins at the Stoop this Saturday. The
second and final pre-season friendly kicks off at 2.45pm, and gives the squad an
opportunity to build on last week's 8-6 win over the Exeter Chiefs.
Coach Eric Elwood has opted to give more players a run-out before the
league opener in two weeks, with just six players that started against Exeter
retaining their jersey. Fetu'u Vainikolo, Miah Nikora, George Naoupu and Michael
Swift, along with positional switches for Tiernan O'Halloran on the wing and
Andrew Browne in the second row will get their second start in a
week.
The match presents a good
opportunity to blood more of the Academy players that have been competing well
in training. Robbie Henshaw starts at outside centre after coming on in Sandy
Park last week, while Kieran Marmion will make his first senior start for
Connacht at scrum half. Kieran played a pivotal role for Ireland at the IRB
Junior World Championship, starting four of their five games en route to a
highest ever finish of fifth.
Some of the close season
signings also get their first start in Connacht colours. AIL signings Mata
Fifita and JP Cooney come into the side at inside centre and tight-head
respectively. Signed from Sligo RFC, Fifita will form a new centre partnership
with Henshaw. Cooney is joined in the front row by fellow new recruit Jason
Harris-Wright and Denis Buckley. Elwood has demonstrated his belief in his
younger players by fielding a front row with an average age of just over 22
years against such formidable position. Willie Faloon also makes his first start
since his move from Ulster.
The other personnel changes
see John Muldoon come into the side at openside flanker and Matthew Jarvis at
full-back.
Head coach, Eric Elwood, is
looking forward to the challenge.
"I have a lot of confidence in this week's selection. Quins is always an important game for us, one we look forward to, and we'll be looking to recreate the physicality and passion previously shown against this side when we meet them throughout the season."
Harlequins are familiar
opposition to all Connacht fans. This pre-season game on Saturday is the first
of at least three fixtures against Conor O'Shea's side as they are once again in
our Heineken Cup pool. Last season's home game will live long in the memory of
all Connacht supporters, as a first ever win in the competition was achieved in
atrocious weather conditions in January. Following their European elimination,
Harlequins lost only two more games in the Premiership as they were crowned
league champions for the first time in their history with a 30-23 victory over
the Leicester Tigers.
Following the Harlequins
encounter, Connacht will have a two week break before the first game of the
RaboDirect PRO12 season. The Cardiff Blues will be the visitors to the
Sportsground to get the 2012/13 season up and running.
Connacht XV
15. Matthew Jarvis
14. Tiernan O'Halloran
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Mata Fifita
11. Fetu'u Vainikolo
10. Miah Nikora
9. Kieran Marmion
1. Dennis Buckley
2. Jason Harris Wright
3. JP Cooney
4. Michael Swift
5. Andrew Browne
6. John Muldoon
7. Willie Faloon
8. George Naoupu
Replacements (from):
16. Finlay Bealham
17. Andrew Flavin
18. Peter Reilly
19. Mick Kearney
20. Dave Gannon
21. Johnny O'Connor
22. Eoin McKeon
23. Dave Moore
24. Jack Carty
25. Conor Finn
26. James Loxton
27. Mark McCrea
© JL Pagano 2012
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