Kiwi Taylor in Connacht debut
Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:36
Connacht coach Eric Elwood has named his New Zealand import, Ezra Taylor, in the side that will take on Newport Gwent Dragons in the opening tie of the new Magners League season, in Galway on Saturday.
Frank Murphy will skipper the side from scrumhalf, with Irish Internationals Sean Cronin and Gavin Duffy making the return following their June tours with the National side.
However, the spotlight is on the new signing, Taylor, who has been named at No.8 - while Cillian Willis and Rob Sweeney will look to make a big impact from the bench.
Taylor, who was born in Brisbane, Australia, joined Connacht from the Reds.
He started his professional career with Otago, and progressed to play with the Highlanders in 2007.
After a serious injury in 2008 he rebuilt his career with the Reds in the 2009 Super 14.
He previously played in the second row, but now features as a loose forward. Taylor has represented New Zealand at Under-19 and schoolboy levels.
Speaking during the week about the clash, Elwood said that though Connacht have a good record against the Dragons in the Sportsground (Connacht have won four out of the last five home games against them) neither team has a run of form as its the first match so nothing was taken for granted.
Connacht: 15 Gavin Duffy, 14 Troy Nathan, 13 Niva Taauso, 12 Keith Matthews, 11 Fionn Carr, 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Frank Murphy (captain), 8 Ezra Taylor, 7 Ray Ofisa, 6 Michael McCarthy, 5 Bernie Upton, 4 Michael Swift, 3 Jamie Hagan, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 Brett Wilkinson.
Replacements: 16 Adrian Flavin, 17 Ronan Loughney, 18 Rob Sweeney, 19 Dave Nolan, 20 Mike McComish, 21 Cillian Willis, 22 Miah Nikora, 23 Tiernan O'Halloran.
Date: Saturday, September 4
Venue: Sportsground, Galway
Kick-off: 17.30 (16.30 GMT)
Referee: James Jones
(Wales)
Assistant referees: Alan Rogan (Ireland), Ollie Hodges (Ireland)
TMO: Sean Flannery (Ireland)
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