The RaboDirect PRO12 Round 5 game between Ospreys and Connacht, originally scheduled for Sunday 2 October, has been brought forward and will now be played On Friday 30 September, kicking off at 7.30pm at the Liberty Stadium.

The change has been agreed to accommodate the switch in the Swansea City v Stoke City Premier League fixture at the stadium, which will now take place on the Sunday.

CEO Gerry Kelly said:

“We are happy to accommodate the Ospreys with this change of date, we are well used to Friday night rugby so it won’t affect us too much”

For full list of Connacht Rugby fixtures please click here:

Benetton Rugby 9-11 Connacht

34 degree heat welcomed Connacht to the Stadio di Monigo in Treviso on Saturday afternoon as Connacht got their RaboDirect PRO12 campaign underway. The home side had 12 players in New Zealand with the Rugby World Cup but still fielded a strong team. The opening exchanges were even with play rarely leaving the middle third. However on 7 minutes Connacht gave away a penalty from just outside their 22 which De Waal gladly converted to give the Italians an early lead. Treviso seemed content to play a kicking game with De Waal and Burton pumping long balls into the Connacht 22 which Gavin Duffy and Tiernan O’Halloran ably dealt with. Connacht looked to counter on several occasions with Michael Swift and Rodney Ah You making good ground on crash balls. On 25 minutes, Captain Gavin Duffy hoisted a high Garryowen into the Italian sky which was taken impressively by Tiernan O’Halloran who made a good break only to be held up short of the line. The Connacht scrum was dominant and number 8 George Naoupu broke from the base and looked like scoring only to be stopped two metres short. The defender didn’t roll away and referee Dudly Phillips gave Connacht a penalty which Matthew Jarvis scored to level proceedings. The Connacht scrum continued to offer a great attacking platform and they were awarded a penalty on 32 minutes. Jarvis launched a huge kick from halfway but it sailed narrowly wide. Connacht kept up the pressure and five minutes to halftime they got their reward. Some great phase play build up and quick ball to Henry Fa’afili who stepped inside two defenders before offloading to Matthew Jarvis who made great yards until he was stopped three metres out. Rodney Ah You picked the ball from the ruck and there was no stopping the prop who powered over for his first Connacht try. Jarvis failed with the Conversion but Connacht went in to the break 8-3 in the lead.

The second half started with a huge 30m break from Irish International Mike McCarthy who was only stopped five metres from the Treviso line. From the resulting play a loose pass was intercepted and the Treviso wing Michael Sepe tried to break from his own 22. A great covering run from Tiernan O’Halloran and a big tackle from Michael Swift saved Connacht’s blushes and won a penalty for the visitors with the winger not releasing the ball. The heat really began to take its toll on both sides and the substitutions rolled. On 53 minutes, Treviso were penalised and Jarvis stretched Connacht’s lead to 11-3. On 57 minutes, the Connacht backs really sprung into life when neat hands from Fa’afili and Griffin leading to a 70 metre break and a penalty to Connacht outside the Treviso 22. Jarvis pulled the kick wide however. As the second half went on, the Italians started to get on top of the game and De Waal kicked his second penalty to narrow the gap. On 70 minutes, Burton kicked into the Connacht 22 and winger Mark McCrea countered with two great chip kicks before being held up 3m from the Treviso try line. The home side kept piling on the pressure and De Waal kicked his third penalty on 74 minutes to set up a nail-biting finale. With a minute on the Clock, a huge penalty from De Waal gave the Italians a lineout five metres from the Connacht line, but a huge defensive effort turned the ball over and Connacht held on for a hard fought away victory. It was a great defensive performance from Eric Elwood’s side who welcome the Scarlets to the Sportsground next Saturday. Tickets are on sale now from www.ticketmaster.ie or www.connachtrugby.ie

Rodney Ah You celebrates with new captain Gavin Duffy after scoring against Treviso (C) www.inpho.ie

Connacht Rugby have announced the starting XV that will take on Benetton Treviso in the opening round of the RaboDirect PRO12 this Saturday.

Gavin Duffy will lead the side out, having been unveiled as Connacht’s new captain earlier this week. The 6’2 former Mayo Minor footballer has 10 Irish caps and was part of Declan Kidneys World Cup training squad this year. He is supported on the wings by flying Ulsterman Mark McCrea and Ireland U20 International Tiernan O’Halloran while the dynamic centre partnership of Henry Fa’aili and Eoin Griffin complete the backline.

Talented scrumhalf Frank Murphy and former Ospreys outhalf Matthew Jarvis renew their halfback pairing following a fine display against Saracens last week.

Connacht have 4 players in the pack with more than 100 caps. Flavin, McCarthy and Muldoon have all reached the milestone while Michael Swift is just short of his 200^th cap for the Province. Ronan Loughney and Ray Ofisa, with 80 and 89 caps respectively, provide plenty more experience with George Naoupu and Rodney Ah You completing the firepower of the forwards.

Connacht starting XV to face Benetton Treviso (Stadio Monigo, Treviso - Saturday 4^th September – ko 15.00 local (14.00 Irish time)

1. Ronan Loughney

2. Adrian Flavin

3. Rodney Ah You

4. Michael Swift

5. Mike McCarthy

6. John Muldoon

7. Ray Ofisa

8. George Naoupu

9. Frank Murphy

10. Matthew Jarvis

11. Tiernan O’Halloran

12. Henry Fa’afili

13. Eoin Griffin

14. Mark McCrea

15. Gavin Duffy (C)

16. Ethienne Reynecke

17. Denis Buckley

18. Dylan Rogers

19. TJ Anderson

20. Johnny O’Connor

21. Paul O’Donohoe

22. Nial O’Connor

23. Brian Tuohy

Connacht will play their first home game of the season in the newly refurbished Sportsground next weekend when they host the Scarlets on Saturday 10^th September. Tickets for that match, along with Season Tickets, can still be purchased from www.connachtrugby.ie

Connacht team pictured in action against Ireland Select XV (C) www.inpho.ie

Gavin Duffy has been selected as the new captain of Connacht Rugby.

The 29 year old Ballina native will lead the Province out for their 1^st competitive fixture this weekend as Connacht take on Benetton Treviso in the Stadio Monigo on Saturday.

Duffy earned the 1^st of his 10 Irish caps against South Africa in 2004 and played against Argentina in the 2007 World Cup. A former Mayo minor footballer, the 6’2, 95kg fullback has been ever present in the Connacht squad since his return to the Province in 2007 following a 4 year stint with NEC Harlequins.

Having played for Ireland at Schools, U21, 7’s and ‘A’, Gavin is 1 of a select few to earn 100 caps for Connacht and was part of Connacht’s 2010 Amlin Challenge Cup semi-final team that narrowly lost to Toulon in the Sportsground.

Speaking about the new role Gavin said:

“I’m delighted to be asked to captain the team for the year. Playing for your Province is a huge honour and to be asked to captain the side only adds to that. It is a very exciting time for Connacht at the moment, the launch of the new league, the Heineken Cup and the new developments at the Sportsground, being part of that team is very special.”

“There’s been huge support for Connacht in the last couple of years and this season, with the number of season tickets already sold, there should be a great buzz in the Sportsground.”

“It’s up to us now to put in the performances on the pitch and everyone’s looking forward to getting the league started this weekend”

Head Coach Eric Elwood, speaking about Gavin’s selection, said:

“Gavin is one of our most senior players and a great servant to the club; he has shown huge leadership both on and off the pitch and will captain the squad for the season ahead. John (Muldoon) has been a terrific captain for the last 3 years and will continue to lead by example but now it’s Gavin’s opportunity to lead the team.”

Pic (C) www.inpho.ie