Connacht Rugby have announced the team that will face the Dragons (The Sportsground – Friday 23^rd Sept – kick-off 19.30)

The starting XV sees 5 changes to that which earned a bonus point against Edinburgh last weekend. In the pack Ray Ofisa comes in at number 8 for the injured George Naoupu. Naoupu came off last weekend with a knee injury and is likely to be out for a number of weeks. Dave Gannon will make his first start since his return to the Province. The 6’6 secondrow, who has 55 caps for Connacht from his time here in 2005/08, replaces Michael Swift who is unavailable due to illness. After making his comeback from injury against the Scarlets 2 weeks ago Brett Wilkinson makes the starting lineup, with Ronan Loughney providing cover from the bench.

There’s a new halfback pairing with Frank Murphy at scrumhalf and Niall O’Connor at outhalf. The 24 year old former Ulster and Ireland U20 player scored the winning penalty in Connacht’s victory over the Scarlets at the Sportsground and crossed for his debut Connacht try against Edinburgh last weekend.

Brian Tuohy comes onto the wing for Mark McCrea. The flying winger has played for Ireland A and Ireland 7’s and scored 2 try’s in Connacht comprehensive 37-8 win over Glasgow last February.

Connacht XV to face Dragons (The Sportsground – Friday 23^rd Sept – kick-off 19.30)

15 Gavin Duffy (C)

14 Brian Tuohy

13 Eoin Griffin

12 Henry Fa’afili

11 Tiernan O’Halloran

10 Niall O’Connor

9 Frank Murphy

1 Brett Wilkinson

2 Ethienne Reynecke

3 Rodney Ah You

4 Dave Gannon

5 Mike McCarthy

6 John Muldoon

7 Johnny O’Connor

8 Ray Ofisa

16 Adrian Flavin

17 Ronan Loughney

18 Dylan Rogers

19 Mick Kearney

20 TJ Anderson

21 Paul O’Donohoe

22 Mathew Jarvis

23 James Loxton

Tickets can be purchased from the Connacht Offices at the Sportsground, from www.connachtrugby.ie or from www.ticketmaster.ie. Supporters are reminded that this will be their last opportunity to purchase season tickets. Season tickets are the only way to guarantee entry to Connacht Rugby’s Heineken Cup games, as well as all Connacht’s RaboDirect PRO12 home matches, including Inter-Provincial clashes with Heineken Cup Champions, last year’s League winners Munster and Ulster.

Pic (C) www.inpho.ie John Mulddon on the charge against Edinburgh last weekend