Ireland got the first score of the match when after 15 minutes Mick O’Driscoll touched down. Paddy Wallace added the conversion and did the same 5 minutes later when Leo Cullen received a quick lineout and ran in from 5m out. Captain John Muldoon was brought to a halt 3 metres from the line following some superb Connacht scrummaging and from the resulting pressure earned a penalty which Niall O’Connor converted. Big carries from Henry Fa’afili and Mick Kearney, and some swift footwork from Tiernan O’Halloran, Eoin Griffin and Mark McCrea kept Connacht on the attack while some solid defense from Michael Swift, George Naoupu and Niall O’Connor kept the Ireland attack at bay. Connacht were unfortunate not to add to their tally when O’Connor puched a kick just wide of the posts. Paddy Wallace did the same on the 40min mark to leave the halftime score Ireland Select XV 14 Connacht 3

Geordan Murphy scored a try for Ireland after some quick hands left him free on the inside, Wallace missed the conversion and Connacht were forced into a period of defense on the halfway line. TJ Anderson replaced Mick Kearney and Matthew Jarvis came on for Tiernan O’Halloran. Johnny O’Connor came on for Ray Ofisa at openside as the intensity of the first half started to show. Ireland flooded the bench with 20 minutes to go and just as Connacht seemed to have the edge in the scrum as long looping pass saw Fergus McFadden touch down in the corner giving Ireland a 26 3 lead with 15 minutes to go. Connacht gained possession from the restart but a knock on deep inside the Ireland XV allowed Ireland to move the ball quickly and former Connacht outhalf Ian Keatley ran in for a try. Wallace converted. James Loxton replaced Mark McCrea on the wing as Connacht surged into the Irish half but Ireland were able to relieve the pressure when referee Peter Fitzgibbon deemed Connacht to be using their hands in a ruck. Dave Moore came on for Paul O’Donohoe with 5 minutes to go. Ireland scored another try through the hands of Denis Hurley but Paddy Wallace couldn’t add the extras and Ireland ran out 38 3 victors

Ireland Select XV

15 Geordan Murphy, 14 Johne Murphy, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Ian Keatley, 11 Fergus McFadden, 10 Paddy Wallace, 9 Iaasc Boss, 8 Denis Leamy, 7 Niall Ronan, 6 Kevin McLoughlin, 5 Leo Cullen (C), 4 Mick O’Driscoll, 3 John Hayes, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 Tony Buckley

Connacht XV

15 Tiernan O’Halloran, 14 Mark McCrea, 13 Eoin Griffin, 12 Henry Fa’afili, 11 Brian Tuohy, 10 Niall O’Connor, 9 Paul O’Donohoe, 8 George, 7 Ray Ofisa, 6 John Muldoon, 5 Mick Kearney, 4 Michael Swift, 3 Rodney Ah You, 2 Adrian Flavin, 1 Dylan Rogers

Pic (C) www.inpho.ie

Eric Elwood has announced the team that will take on an Ireland Select XV tomorrow (Donnybrook Stadium, Dublin 14, ko 18.30)

The side sees just 3 changes from the starting XV that took on the Exeter Chiefs in Dubarry Park last weekend with Adrian Flavin starting at hooker, Mick Kearney replacing the injured Dave Nolan and John Muldoon returning to captain the side from blindside flanker. The backline remains unchanged with O’Donohoe and O’Connor completing the halfbacks. Fa’afili and Griffin renew their centre partnership with Brian Tuohy, Mark McCrea and Tiernan O’Halloran completing the backline.

Head Coach Eric Elwood:

“This will a be a huge test for us, we’re up against a strong Ireland Select side with players vying for World Cup places so it’s a great opportunity for our players to test themselves at this level. From our perspective we’re looking for an 80 minute performance and improvements in key areas from last weekend’s game against Exeter “

Connacht XV to play Ireland Select XV – Thursday 18^th August, Donnybrook ko 18.30

1 Dylan Rogers

2 Adrian Flavin

3 Rodney Ah You

4 Michael Swift

5 Mick Kearney

6 John Muldoon (C)

7 Ray Ofisa

8 George Naoupu

9 Paul O’Donohoe

10 Niall O’Connor

11 Brian Tuohy

12 Henry Fa’afili

13 Eoin Griffin

14 Mark McCrea

15 Tiernan O’Halloran

16 Ethienne Reynecke

17 Denis Buckley

18 Johnny O’Connor

19 TJ Anderson

20 Dave Moore

21 Matthew Jarvis

22 James Loxton

Tickets for the match are available at the gate and cost just €10 for adults and €5 for students and OAP’s

Pictured John Muldoon and Eoin McKeon. John Muldoon will captain the side tomorrow  Pic (C) www.inpho.ie

Pictures of the new Connacht Clan Terrace being erected during the week:

The gap in the stand that will form the new players tunnel to the pitch on the halfway line.

After last Saturday’s preseason match against the Exeter Chiefs in Athlone Head Coach Eric Elwood’s Connacht will take on an Ireland Select XV in Donnybrook (Thursday 18th August, kick-off 18.30)

August 1999 was the last time Connacht took on an Ireland Select XV, a game which Connacht lead 18 points to 10 at half time. Warren Gatland was the Head Coach and Eric Elwood played outhalf, kicking 3 penalties and converting a Mel Dean try but it was Ireland who eventually ran out 43 26 winners after late trys from Eric Miller and Kevin Maggs.

This season see’s 16 new players join the Connacht ranks and with plenty of positions still up for grabs on the starting XV the game, 1 of 3 preseason fixtures for Connacht, promises to be a true test for both teams as Declan Kidneys charges bid for World Cup places.

Tickets for the match can be purchased from IRFU Offices at 10/12 Lansdowne Road, Dublin 4 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) or at the turnstiles at Donnybrook Stadium on the evening of the game and cost €10 for an Adult and €5 for Child/OAP/Student

Pictured in action against Exeter are Connacht's TJ Anderson and Ray Ofisa (C) www.inpho.ie