Connacht Rugby have announced the starting XV that will take on Saracens in their final preseason friendly (Thurs 25^th Aug 18.45 – HAC Ground – London)

The side sees 6 changes from the team that took on an Ireland Select XV last Thursday in Donnybrook.

In the pack, Ethienne Reynecke will line up against his former club at hooker, Johnny O’Connor marks his return to full fitness at 7 and Mike McCarthy returns from the Ireland training squad to start at 2^nd row.

Props Dylan Rogers and Rodney Ah You remain in the front row following their impressive display against Ireland last week and Connacht’s most capped player, Michael Swift, partners McCarthy at lock. The backrow is completed with 2 Connacht legends, John Muldoon and George Naoupu.

A new halfback pairing of Frank Murphy and Matthew Jarvis heads up a slightly changed backline. With Henry Fa’afili and Eoin Griffin in the centre, Tiernan O’Halloran comes in for Mark McCrea on the right wing, Brian Tuohy on the other wing and the side will be captained by Gavin Duffy at fullback.

This is Eric Elwood’s final preseason match before the start of the newly launched RaboDirect PRO12 with an away trip to Benetton Treviso on Saturday 3^rd of September.

Connacht XV to face Saracens (HAC Grounds London, Thursday 25^th August ko 18.45)

1. 1 Dylan Rogers

2. 2 Ethienne Reynecke

3. 3 Rodney Ah You

4. 4 Michael Swift

5. 5 Mike McCarthy

6. 6 John Muldoon

7. 7 Johnny O’Connor

8. 8 George Naoupu

9. 9 Frank Murphy

10. 10 Matthew Jarvis

11. 11 Brian Tuohy

12. 12 Henry Fa’afili

13. 13 Eoin Griffin

14. 14 Tiernan O’Halloran

15. 15 Gavin Duffy (C)

16. 16 Adrian Flavin

17.17 Denis Buckley

18. 18 Jamie Stephens

19. 19 TJ Anderson

20. 20 Ray Ofisa

21. 21 Paul O’Donohoe

22. 22 Niall O’Connor

23.23 Dave McSharry

Season tickets for all Connacht’s home games, including the 3 home Heineken Cup games, can still be purchased from www.ticketmaster.ie and www.connachtrugby.ie

pic (C) www.inpho.ie