Connacht got off to a dream start with a Fionn Carr try after just 30 seconds, Ian Keatley failed to add the conversion and despite the majority of possession and a number of line breaks from Sean Cronin, Ray Ofisa, Keith Matthews and Fionn Carr Connacht were unable to add to their points in the first quarter. Greig Laidlaw kicked a penalty for Edinburgh and converted both Scott Newlands and James Kings tries to give the visitors a 17 points to 8 lead with half an hour gone. Connacht bounced back with some strong running and fierce tackling and after 38 minutes were awarded a penalty try when Fionn Carr was tackled before he received Brian Tuohy’s pass. Keatley converted and 2 minutes later after a blistering break from inside their own half with big carries from Troy Nathan, Keith Matthews and Gavin Duffy, as well as some deft offloads from Sean Cronin, Ray Ofisa and Mike McCarthy left Fionn Carr to crash over the line. Keatley added the conversion to give Connacht a deserved 22-17 lead at the break. 

Connacht's Thomas Ferrari and Robert Henshaw have been seleceted to represent Ireland in their upcoming U18 Schools match against Scotland, Robert, who plays for Marist starts at centre whist Sligo Grammar's Thomas Ferrari is on tyhe bench as prop.

The Ireland Under-18 Schools team, sponsored by PwC, has been announced ahead of their crucial game against Scotland Under-18s in Glasgow on Sunday. The match is a qualifying game for the FIRA/AER U-18 European Championship, which takes place in the Armagnac-Bigorre region of France between 15 and 24 April 2011. The Ireland Under-18 Schools were defeated by England Schools in the first qualifying fixture back in December, so this game is important in deciding which section of the FIRA-AER tournament they qualify for.  Scotland beat England 26-21 in Leeds last weekend, so the Ireland side now need a bonus point win and to deny Scotland a bonus point to ensure qualification for the elite section. Coach Terry McMaster knows that his team will have to put in a top performance to overcome a Scotland team that will be brimming with confidence after their win over England: “Scotland showed they are a team with plenty of talent by overcoming England on home soil, so it puts it into perspective as our lads need to deliver a performance against the Scots that is of the highest order.  To put one over a strong England team in those circumstances demands respect.” “In saying that, I think there is plenty of talent in our own side and while this is a new team coming up against a Scotland side that already has a game under their belt, our team has plenty of knowledge of each other in specific units, through playing together as part of their own schools teams, to knit quickly enough.  The key is to deliver accuracy on their individual areas and the collective will look after itself.” IRELAND

UNDER-18 SCHOOLS Team (v Scotland Under-18s, FIRA-AER Championship Qualifier, Braidholm RFC, Glasgow, Sunday, April 3, kick-off 12pm):

15 - Jack Fitzpatrick (Gonzaga College)
14 - Conor McEllin (Blackrock College)
13 - Robert Henshaw (Marist Athlone)
12 - Chris Farrell (Campbell College)  
11 - Cian O’Halloran (CBC Cork) 
10 - Rory Scannell (PBC Cork)
9 - Luke McGrath (St Michael’s College) Captain
1 - Gordon Frayne (Clongowes Wood College) 
2 - Bryan Byrne (Clongowes Wood College)  
3 - Edward Byrne (Clongowes Wood College)
4 - Jerry Sexton (St. Mary’s College)
5 - Donogh Lawler (St. Michael’s College)
6 - Mark Best (Campbell College)
7 - Dan Leavy (St. Michael’s College)
8 - Ryan Murphy (PBC Cork)

Replacements:
16 - Andrew Murphy (St. Michael’s College) 
17 - Thomas Ferrari (Sligo Grammar School)
18 - Chris Taylor (Wallace High School)
19 - Luke Satchwell (The King’s Hospital)
20 - Ben Alexander (RBAI)
21 - David Shanahan (Belvedere College)
22 - Stuart Olding (Belfast Royal Academy)
23 - Rory Scholes (Campbell College) Ireland U-18 Schools Management Team:
Terry McMaster - Coach
Kenny Hooks - Assistant Coach
Paul Barr - Assistant Coach
Lorcan Balfe - Team Manager
Chris Shields - Strength  Conditioning Coach
Ozzie Fogarty - Team Doctor
David Lyons - Team Physio
Vinnie Hammond - Team Analyst
Jessica O'Brien - Team Co-ordinator
For further information contact:
Karl Richardson
IRFU Communications  Media Manager
M: +353 (0) 866477874
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Connacht have secured experienced hooker Ethienne Reynecke from Saracens.

Ethienne played Super Rugby for The Golden Lions in South Africa, including an appearance against the British and Irish Lions in 2009, and has featured in the Currie Cup as well as the Vodacom Cup. He is currently on loan to The Stormers from Saracens in South Africa and will join Connacht on a 2 year deal at the end of the season.

The 5’11, 102kg hooker has a wealth of experience in the number 2 jersey having played for Saracens in the English Premiership for the past 2 seasons.

This will not be Ethienne’s first visit to the Sportsground, the 29 year old was part of the Saracens squad that visited Connacht last August for a pre-season friendly.

Speaking about the move Ethienne said:

"I'm very excited at the prospect of going to Ireland, especially Galway. Connacht has shown this season they are serious about establishing a strong and successful rugby culture there, and I intend giving my all to contribute to the cause."

Head coach Eric Elwood:
“With Sean moving on at the end of the season we needed cover at hooker and we are very pleased to sign a player of Ethienne’s calibre, especially in such a crucial position. He is an experienced player who we are confident can offer a lot to Connacht.”

To see Ethienne in action click the video below:

Keith Matthews will celebrate his 100th cap when he lines out for Connacht this Friday against Edingburgh (The Sportsground – ko 19.45 01/04/11)

The 28 year old centre joined Connacht from Munster in 2005 and has been a regular feature in the Connacht squad.

“I was on a development contract down in Munster when Brads (Michael Bradley) phoned me and offered me a spot, I jumped at the chance to play regular Magners League and haven’t looked back since.”
“It’s taken a while to get to this milestone; I’ve had a few injuries along the way.  Amongst other injuries I damaged my crutiate ligament against Munster in ‘07 and was out for 9 months so that didn’t help but I’m delighted to reach 100 caps for Connacht, it’s a huge personal achievement.”

Keith made his debut in Connacht’s 13 – 9 victory over the Cardiff Blues in September ‘05 alongside John Muldoon, Current Assistant Coach Dan McFarland and Video Analyst Conor McPhillips. He has scored 14 tries for the Province and set up dozens more with his hard running and ferocious tackling.

“I’ve been involved in some great games over the years, beating Munster here at The Sportsground 2 years ago, beating Bourgoin in the quarter final of the Amlin Challenge Cup here last season and captaining the side against Munster on St Stephens Day this year. Hopefully there’ll be many more to come, I’m enjoying my rugby more than ever and playing some of the best rugby of my career so I’ve no intention of giving up just yet!”

Matthews was part of Michael Bradleys 2009 Ireland ‘A’ side which won the Churchill Cup, beating England Saxons in the final. That team also included Connacht's John Muldoon and Sean Cronin.

Hooker Adrian Flavin could also earn his 100th cap this weekend. The 5’11, 102kg number 2 from Harrow in London joined Connacht in 2006 and has99 caps to his name. He will feature from the bench for the match this weekend

Connacht face Edinburgh this Friday in round 19 of the Magners League. Kick- off is at 7.45 in The Sportsground and the match is being shown live on TG4.
Connacht XV to face Edinburgh:
1   Ronan Loughney
2   Sean Cronin
3   Jamie Hagan
4   Mike McCarthy
5   Bernie Upton
6   Andrew Browne
7   Johnny O’Connor
8   Ray Ofisa
9   Frank Murphy
10  Ian Keatley
11  Fionn Carr
12  Keith Matthews
13  Troy Nathan
14  Brian Tuohy
15  Gavin Dufffy
16  Adrian Flavin
17  Brett Wilkinson
18  Rodney Ah You
19  Mike McComish
20  John Muldoon
21  Mark Dolan
22  Eoin Griffin
23  Shane Monahan

Pic (C) www.inpho.ie