Connacht lost to Aironi in Stadio Zaffenalla on Saturday evening when outhalf Luciano Orquera kicked 5 penalties coupled with an Aironi try. The 22 times capped Italian international bagging 3 points from each of Aironi’s 3 visits to the Connacht half in the opening 20 minutes but it was Connacht’s execution that let the visiting side down. Despite fielding the majority of possession and posing the more attacking team in the first half Connacht were unable to break down the Aironi defense that boasted no fewer than 12 Italian internationals

Trailing 9 0 at the break Connacht knew they would need a strong start to the second half but it was the hosts who scored first, Sinoti Sinoti crashing over from short range for the games only try. Orquera missed the conversion and it was Connacht’s turn to get on the scoreboard next, Matthew Jarvis converting the penalty to bring the score to 17 3 after 50 minutes. Orquera nullified that 3 minutes later with a penalty of his own and though Niall O’Connor kicked 3 points  with 15 minutes to go Connacht were unable to close the gap further, dispite attacking the Aironi line on several occasions.

Connacht’s running game proved threatening throughout with the forwards applying huge pressure to the Aironi scrum and the backline attacks looking slick and sharp. It was small errors across the park that ruined  the chance to convert the lions share of possession and territory to the elusive win this team have been searching for. Up next is another difficult assignment as Connacht head to the South of France to take on French leaders Toulouse in the Heineken Cup. The following week sees Connacht welcome Harlequins to the Sportsground for the final pool game of the Heineken Cup and tickets can still be purchased from www.ticketmaster.ie.

Connacht:

Gavin Duffy, Fetu’u Vainikolo, Kyle Tonetti, Dave McSharry, Tiernan O’Halloran, Matthew Jarvis, Frank Murphy, Brett Wilkinson, Adrian Flavin, Dylan Rogers, Michael Swift, Mike McCarthy, Mick Kearney, John Muldoon, George Naoupu

Replacements:

Ethienne Reynecke, Denis Buckley, Stewart Maguire, Eoin McKeon, Ray Ofisa, Paul O’Donohoe, Niall O’Connor, Henry Fa’afili

Treviso:

Masi, Toniolatti, Quartaroli, Pizarro, Sinoti, Orquera, Keats, De Marchi, Santamaria, Staibano, Bortolami, Cattina, Favaro, Sole

Replacements:

D’Aspice, Perugini, Romano, Geldenhuys, Bergamasco, Tebaldi, Oliver, Benettin

Pictures (C) www.inpho.ie

Connacht Rugby have announced the team that will face Aironi this Saturday (Stadio Zaffenella, kick off 16.35)

The 23 man squad sees the return of Connacht’s towering second row Michael Swift and versatile prop Dylan Rogers to the pack while scrumhalf Frank Murphy joins Centre Dave McSharry and winger Fetu’u Vainikolo as the changes in the backline.

6’5, 18 stone lock Swift is Connacht’s most capped player with a staggering 207 caps over 11 seasons for the Province. He has recently penned a contract extension that will see him remain at the club until at least the end of the 2012/13 season and marks his return to the starting lineup following a 2 week break with a knee injury. Dylan Rogers replaces the injured Ronan Loughney at tighthead. The 27 year old South African born prop can play at either side of the scrum and earned the callup after impressing from the bench in last weekend’s narrow loss to Leinster.

Frank Murphy earns the starting berth at scrumhalf ahead of Paul O’Donohoe and Dave McSharry returns to centre following a week’s lay-off while a nasty chin injury healed. 21 year old McSharry, who recently penned a 2 year contract, has been ever-present in the squad since earning his 1^st cap against Ulster earlier this season. Fetu’u Vainikolo returns to the right wing replacing the injured Brian Tuohy. Tuohy underwent surgery earlier this week to repair a broken leg sustained in the New Years Day derby against Leinster and looks set to miss most of the remainder of the season.

Connacht XV to face Aironi (Stadio Zaffenella – Saturday 07/01/2012 kick-off 16.35 live on TG4 & RAI)

15 Gavin Duffy

14 Fetu’u Vainikolo

13 Kyle Tonetti

12 Dave McSharry

11 Tiernan O’Halloran

10 Mattew Jarvis

09 Frank Murphy

01 Brett Wilkinson

02 Adrian Flavin

03 Dylan Rogers

04 Michael Swift

05 Mike McCarthy

06 Mick Kearney

07 John Muldoon

08 George Naoupu

16 Ethienne Reynecke

17 Denis Buckley

18 Stewart Maguire

19 Eoin McKeon

20 Ray Ofisa

21 Paul O’Donohoe

22 Niall O’Connor

23 Henry Fa’afili

Pictured in action for Connacht (above right) Dylan Rogers and (above left) Frank Murphy (C) www.inpho.ie

 Connacht Rugby are delighted to announce that wing sensation Tiernan O’Halloran and Connacht legend Michael Swift have committed their futures to the club. 20 year old Connemara native O’Halloran is a product of the Connacht Academy and made his senior debut for the province against the Scarlets in 2009/10 season. The former Cistercian College schoolboy has won 20 caps to date for Connacht and has played in all but one of Connacht’s games this season scoring four tries. He also holds the honour of scoring Connacht’s first ever Heineken Cup try in the narrow defeat away to Harlequins back in November. O’Halloran has also represented Ireland at U18 and U19 levels and has played seven times for Ireland U20’s including last summer’s U20 World Cup in Italy.

Michael Swift is Connacht’s most capped player and the only man to have represented the Province over 200 times. Connacht fans will get to enjoy another season of big hits and powerful scrums as the 6’5, 18 stone lock has agreed a year’s contract extension. “Swifty” joined Connacht in 2000 and has played in some of the clubs biggest games including the visit of South Africa in 2007, the Amlin Challenge Cup semi-final against Toulon in 2010 and the visit of Toulouse to the Sportsground earlier this year.

Head Coach Eric Elwood:
“We’re hopeful to have Swifty back this week as we all know what he gives to the club week in week out. Amongst the staff, the management, the supporters he’s a legend and this contract is richly deserved, it’s fantastic.”

Tiernan commented:
“I am delighted to commit to Connacht for a further two years. Despite some difficult recent results I remain optimistic that this group of players can achieve great things and I want to play my part in that effort. Eric Elwood and Nigel Carolan have played major roles in developing my career as a professional player and as a local lad I’m very excited at the prospect of continuing that development here at Connacht “

This announcement follows the re-signing of young centre pair Eoin Griffin and Dave McSharry who have both also committed for a further two years. Connacht Head Coach Eric Elwood spoke about the re-signings:
“Tiernan has been every present this season, he’s put himself out there, he’s got the contract on merit and he’s deserved it. The consistency in his performances have been there and he’s been one of our top players so we’re delighted to have him sign up for two years.”

Pics (C) www.inpho.ie