Connacht Make Changes For Gloucester Game
Connacht have made several changes for their second pre-season friendly when they take on English outfit Gloucester at Kingsholm on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).
Players who were involved with the Ireland and Churchill Cup squads over the summer return to action with Keith Matthews starting at inside centre, Ian Keatley and Frank Murphy in the half-back slots, and Sean Cronin and John Muldoon in the pack.
Brett Wilkinson, a member of the Irish training squad this summer, returns to the front row, with Andrew Browne starting in the second row and Ray Ofisa coming into the back row at blindside flanker.
After Saturday’s game Connacht have one final pre-season game when they take on Rotherham Titans on Friday, August 28 at the Sportsground (kick-off 6.30pm).
CONNACHT (v Gloucester) – Troy Nathan; Brian Touhy, Niva Ta’auso, Keith Matthews, Fionn Carr; Ian Keatley, Frank Murphy; Brett Wilkinson, Sean Cronin, Robbie Morris, Andrew Browne, Bernie Upton, Mike McCarthy, Ray Ofisa, John Muldoon (capt).
Replacements: Adrian Flavin, Ronan Loughney, Jamie Hagan, Mike Swift, Mike McComish, Conor O’Loughlin, Aidan Wynne, Eoin Griffin, Tiarnan O’Halloran.