Connacht Rugby have released a 26 man squad ahead of their first ever Heineken Cup clash away to Harlequins in the Stoop on Friday Night, 8pm. The squad sees the return of exciting centre Eoin Griffin as well as Samoan duo Ray Ofisa and Henry Fa’afilli who all sat out the trip to Belfast last weekend with knocks. Youngster Dave McSharry hangs on to his place in the squad after an impressive performance in his first start against Ulster.

While this is Connacht’s first game in the competition, the squad boasts considerable Heineken Cup experience. Captain Gavin Duffy is one of five players who have played in the competition previously. The full-back spent three seasons at Harlequins including the 2004/05 Heineken Cup campaign where he scored a try against Castres in the pool stages. Scrum Halves Frank Murphy and Paul O’Donohoe have played for Leicester Tigers and Leinster respectively while TJ Anderson and Niall O’Connor have both played Heineken Cup rugby for Ulster.

While the rest of the squad may not have Heineken Cup experienced, there is six players with over 100 caps for the province including Michael Swift who has 205 caps to date.

Connacht Squad to face Harlequins Friday 11^th November, 8pm, The Stoop:

Forwards:

Brett Wilkinson, Ronan Loughney, Rodney Ah You, Dylan Rogers, Adrian Flavin, Ethienne Reynecke, Dave Gannon, Michael Swift, Mike McCarthy, TJ Anderson, Eoghan Grace, John Muldoon, Ray Ofisa, George Naoupu

Backs:

Frank Murphy, Paul O’Donohoe, Niall O’Connor, Miah Nikora, Henry Fa’afili, Eoin Griffin, Dave McSharry, Tiernan O’Halloran, Fetu’u Vainikolo. Brian Tuohy, Matthew Jarvis, Gavin Duffy

 Connacht 'A' put in a fine display to overcome Rugby Reggio 29 11 in Italy on Saturday.

Full match report to follow, click here for pictures:http://www.sportreggio.it/wordpress/2011/11/12/rugby-un-buon-reggio-tiene-testa-al-connacht/

New signing Kyle Tonetti has been drafted straight into the Connacht ‘A’ team to face Rugby Reggio this Saturday at 2.30pm in Reggio Emilia, Italy. The former Leinster centre has spent the past season with Aviva Premiership side Sale Sharks where he made 14 league appearances scoring a try against Connacht’s Heineken Cup opponents Harlequins. He starts in the number 13 jersey next to U20 star Tadhg Leader. They are flanked on either wing by the experienced Mark McCrea and the exciting Callum Boland. Rising star Shane Layden completes the back three. The Leitrim native scored a try for Buccaneers in their victory over Ballinahinch last weekend and made his debut for the Connacht senior team in the trip to face Leinster in the RDS back in October. There is also an experienced look to the half backs with former Harlequins scrum half Dave Moore teaming up with Matthew Jarvis. The 21 year old former Osprey has made six appearances for the Connacht senior team so far this season scoring 21 points.

The Front Row sees former Ireland U19 hooker Kevin O’Byrne joined by 6’4” 130kg Stewart Maguire and Ireland U20 World Cup prop Finlay Bealham. The second row see’s Buccaneers duo Mick Kearney and Danny Qualter renew a partnership that was so impressive in this summer’s U20 World Cup. The backrow sees Eoghan Grace start in the number seven shirt. He made his senior debut against Ulster in Ravenhill last Saturday and played for the ‘A’ team in their defeat to Munster two weeks ago. He is joined by Ireland U20 stars Dave Heffernan and Eoin McKeon. McKeon made his senior debut against the Scarlets two seasons ago and went on to play in the Famous win over Samoa last year.

Connacht ‘A’ XV v Rugby Reggio, Saturday 2.30pm, Italy:

15. Shane Layden

14. Mark McCrea

13. Kyle Tonetti

12. Tadhg Leader

11. Callum Boland

10. Matthew Jarvis

9. Dave Moore

1. Finlay Bealham

2. Kevin O’Byrne

3. Stewart Maguire

4. Mick Kearney

5. Danny Qualter

6. Dave Heffernan

7. Eoghan Grace

8. Eoin McKeon

16. Dermot Murphy

17. Paul Griffin

18. Jamie Stephens

19. Brian Moylett

20. Aaron Conneely

21. Kieran Marmion

22. Jack Carty

23. Finn Gormley  

Connacht Rugby announce signing of Kyle Tonetti

Connacht Rugby are pleased to announce the signing of Kyle Tonetti from Aviva Premiership club Sale Sharks. The 24 year old former Blackrock College centre joined Sale last season where he earned 14 Premiership caps and scored a try against this week’s Heineken Cup opponents Harlequins!

Tonetti has represented Ireland at U19 and U20 level and was part of the 2007 U20 6 Nations Grand Slam winning team alongside current Connacht players Andrew Browne, Paul O’Donohoe, TJ Anderson and Niall O’Connor.

A former pupil of St. Gerard’s School in Bray, Kyle joined the Leinster Academy in 2007 and spent 2 years professionally contracted to the Province, earning 21 Leinster ‘A’ caps and 3 senior caps, the last against Connacht in April 2010 in the Sportsground.

Kyle’s contract will see him play at the Sportsground until at least the end of the 2011/12 season.

Speaking about the signing Head Coach Eric Elwood said:

“I’m really looking forward to working with Kyle again, having known him since the ’07 U20’s team that won the 6 Nations and I’m sure he will fit nicely into the squad. We’re looking forward to him joining up with the team and working with him again.”

Pic (C) www.inpho.ie

In cold but perfect playing conditions in RavenhillUlster struck 1^st with a 3^rd minute penalty and followed up with a sustained period of pressure before Connacht levelled after half an hour. Miah Nikora kicked the points after Ulster were forced to give away a penalty deep in their own half. That pressure had come from some excellent Connacht attack with powerful drives from the forwards coupled with sharp attacking lines from the backs. Ulster regained their composure and much of the first half was played inside the Connacht half, Ian Humphries missing a kickable penalty from the 22 with 10 minutes left in the half.

Miah Nikora’s boot pinned Ulster back into their own half and Connacht made good inroads but with time all but up in the 1^st half Craig Gilroy crossed in the corner for the 1^st try of the night and with Humphries unable to convert the touchline kick the halftime score finished Ulster 8 3 Connacht

Connacht conceded a try straight from the kick off when Tom Court crashed over after a number of big pick and drives, Ian Humphries converted from under the posts. Connacht were unlucky to lose possession from a number of driving mauls inside the Ulster 22, referee John Lacey awarding the resulting scrum to Ulster after it appeared they had collapsed the maul and Connacht were forced back into their own half.

Ulster made a number of unforced errors inside the Connacht 22 allowing the visitors field position. Connacht were unable to convert their possession into points and most of the second 40 minutes were played inside Connacht’s half. Despite a resurgence from Connacht replacements John Muldoon and Niall O’Connor, along with a change of front row and new half-backs Connacht were unable to capitalise on the fresh legs and with the last play of the game Ian Humphries ran in under the posts to leave the final score Ulster 22 Connacht 3

Pictures (C) www.inpho.ie/Cathal Noonan