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
