Connacht reveal their newest centurion
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:09
New team captain John Muldoon will win his 100th cap for Connacht when he leads the side out for the first time against the Ospreys in the opening round of the Magners League season at the Sportsground on Friday.
Coach Michael Bradley has made one change to the side from that which beat the Reds in the final pre-season game.
John Hearty comes into the side on the left wing, as Connacht bid to continue their proud record of having won their opening match every year since the competition began in 2001.
Captain Muldoon will become the 11th player to reach the century milestone of caps for Connacht, while Brett Wilkinson, now beginning his third season with the club, will be make his 50th appearance for Connacht.
Several players are still sidelined with injury, including Mel Deane (foot), Tim Donnelly (shoulder), Andy Dunne (hamstring), Johnny O'Connor (hand), Conor O'Loughlin (hip) and Mike Roberts
(calf).
Connacht: 15 Fionn Carr, 14 Liam Bibo, 13 Gavin Duffy, 12 Keith Matthews, 11 John Hearty, 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 A Flavin, 17 Ronan Loughney, 18 Andrew Browne, 19 Michael Swift, 20 Kieran Campbell, 21 Troy Nathan, 22 Aidan Wynne.
Date: Friday, September 5
Venue: Sportsground, Galway
Kick-off: 18.30 (17.30 GMT)
Referee: Neil Paterson (Scotland)
Touch judges: Dudley Phillips (Ireland), Peter Roche (Ireland)
