Connacht change as Reds tide sweep in
Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:48
Connacht Director of Rugby Michael Bradley has made 11 changes, as well as four positional switches, to his side ahead of their final pre-season friendly, against the touring Reds at the Sportsground in Galway on Tuesday.
New recruit Fionn Carr moves from the right wing to fullback for the first time, with Liam Bibo and Mike Roberts taking up position on the wings.
Keith Matthews moves from the left wing to inside centre, where he'll play alongside Gavin Duffy in a new midfield partnership.
The halfback slots will be filled by Ian Keatley (No.10) and Frank Murphy (No.9).
Up front there is a new look front row with Brett Wilkinson and Robbie Morris propping alongside Sean Cronin at hooker.
Michael McCarthy moves from the back row to second row to partner Andrew Farley, and Captain John Muldoon moves from No.8 to blindside flank. Fit again Ray Ofisa is selected at openside, with Colm Rigney playing at No.8.
Teams:
Connacht: 15 Fiann Carr, 14 Liam Bibo, 13 Gavin Duffy, 12 Keith Matthews, 11 Mike Roberts, 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Frank Murphy, 8 Colm Rigney, 7 Ray Ofisa, 6 John Muldoon (captain), 5 Andrew Farley, 4 Michael McCarthy, 3 Robbie Morris, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 Brett Wilkinson.
Replacements: 16 Conor Muldoon, 17 Ronan Loughney, 18 Michael Swift, 19 John O'Connor, 20 Kieran Campbell, 21 Aidan Wynne, 22 J Hearty.
Reds: 15 R Davies, 14 Luke Morahan, 13 Morgan Turinui (captain), 12 Anthony Faingaa, 11 Aidan Toua, 10 Ben Gollings, 9 Will Genia, 8 Leroy Houston, 7 Poutasi Luafutu, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 Robert Simmons, 4 Van Humphries, 3 Jack Kennedy, 2 James Hanson, 1 Shon Siemonek.
Replacements: 16 Albert Anae, 17 Greg Holmes, 18 Adam Byrne, 19 Jake Schatz, 20 Ben McKibbin, 21 Jono Lance, 22 James Harvey.
Date: Tuesday,
August 26
Venue: Sportsground, Galway
Kick-off: 19.30 (18.30 GMT)
