Connacht continue their pre-season preparations with a game against London based, Aviva Premiership side Wasps at High Wycombe tomorrow, Saturday August 23rd (kick off 14:30).
Head Coach Pat Lam will bring an extended squad of 28 players to London which includes a mix of new signings, established players and talented Academy prospects.
Having already played Clermont Auvergne as part of the pre-season schedule, this second fixture presents another opportunity for the coaches to blend the new summer signings and development players into the squad and test out the new systems and structures against a tough opposition.
Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan and Finlay Bealham – all graduates of the Connacht Academy – make up the front row trio.
In the absence of John Muldoon (tight hamstring), 23-year-old Mick Kearney has been handed the captaincy for tomorrow’s game. Kearney, part of the touring Emerging Ireland squad this summer, is joined in the second row by South African born lock Quinn Roux.
Academy graduate Jack Carty is handed the reins at outhalf and he links up with new signing Ian Porter at scrum half.
Former Trinity player Niyi Adeolokun has earned a start on the right wing following his performances in training and the pre-season test with Clermont where the 23-year-old touched down for Connacht’s try in the second half.
Wasps v Connacht
High Wycombe
Saturday August 23rd
kick off 2:30pm
Traveling supporters or Connacht fans based in and around London can purchase tickets at the gate tomorrow or by calling the Wasps Ticket Office on 0844 847 1867.
The Connacht Clan will be located in the Panache Stand (formally the Dreams Stand).
Connacht line-up v Wasps
15 Tiernan O’Halloran
14 Niyi Adeolokun*
13 Darragh Leader
12 Dave McSharry
11 Danie Poolman
10 Jack Carty
9 Ian Porter*
1 Denis Buckley
2 Dave Heffernan
3 Finlay Bealham
4 Quinn Roux*
5 Mick Kearney ©
6 Eoin McKeon
7 Willie Faloon
8 George Naoupu
Replacements:
16 Sean Henry
17 JP Cooney
18 Rodney Ah You
19 Michael Swift
20 Danny Qualter
21 Caolin Blade
22 Craig Ronaldson
23 Fionn Carr
24 Eoghan Masterson
25 Shane O’Leary*
26 Conor Finn*
27 Rory Parata
28 Shane Layden
*uncapped for Connacht
Unavailable: Tom McCartney, Kieran Marmion, Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw, Mils Muliaina, Jason Harris Wright, Ronan Loughney, Nathan White, Andrew Browne, Aly Muldowney, Mata Fifita, Jake Heenan, John Muldoon, John Cooney, Matt Healy