Galway 'festival' confirmed
Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:59
Connacht are bringing a festival of rugby to Galway for their pre-season friendlies, which are due to take place in August - including the first ever meeting with Australian Super 14 side the Reds.
The series of games kick off on Saturday August 9 against Leeds, before facing old rivals Harlequins a week later. The following week Connacht face London Welsh (Friday, August 22), before concluding their pre-season fixture against the Reds on Tuesday August 26.
Connacht lock Andrew Farley is really looking forward to playing his former side.
"It's exciting. It's been seven years since I played for Queensland [the Reds], so there are a lot of fresh young faces in that side since I was there and they've a lot of talent.
"They're starting to play a brand new style of rugby now and it'll be a good experience for our guys to play a southern hemisphere side at the Sportsground. What is also worth noting is that the Reds will have played with the new ELVs for the previous season and it'll be good for us to play against a side who've already adapted to that style of play."
Connacht pre-season matches:
Saturday, August 9: v Leeds - kick-off: 18.30 (17.30 GMT)
Saturday, August 16: v Harlequins - kick-off: 18.30 (17.30 GMT)
Friday, August 22: v London Welsh - kick-off: 18.30 (17.30 GMT)
Tuesday, August 26: v Reds - kick-off: 19.30 (18.30 GMT)
