Fanning And Conneely Make Connacht Squad
Connacht coach Eric Elwood has announced his squad for Saturday’s Magners League meeting with the Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets (kick-off 3pm).
With a number of injury concerns after last Saturday’s bonus point win over the Newport Gwent Dragons, Eric Elwood has included new recruit Darragh Fanning and Connacht Academy star Shane Conneely in his 25-man squad.
Fanning impressed in the pre-season matches against Harlequins and Saracens and is brought in as cover in the back-line.
Conneely has a proven track record for Connacht at Under-18 and Under-20 level and the 20-year-old back rower has been rewarded for a good pre-season with inclusion in the senior squad.
Former Queensland Reds number 8 Ezra Taylor has been ruled out of the game after suffering a knock to his knee during his competitive debut against the Dragons.
Elwood is expecting a tough game from the Scarlets after they lost to league newcomers Bennetton Treviso last weekend:
“You have to expect a backlash and with our record over their they will probably be expecting to claim five points, conversely we are looking to improve our away form.
“We have set ourselves a good target for this week, that’s the challenge and we’re looking forward to it.”
CONNACHT Squad (v Scarlets) – Backs (12): Cillian Willis, Frank Murphy, Miah Nikora, Ian Keatley, Fionn Carr, Keith Matthews, Niva Ta’auso, Tiernan O’Halloran, Aidan Wynne, Troy Nathan, Gavin Duffy, Darragh Fanning.
Forwards (13): Ronan Loughney, Brett Wilkinson, Sean Cronin, Adrian Flavin, Rob Sweeney, Jamie Hagan, Dave Nolan, Michael Swift, Bernie Upton, Michael McCarthy, Ray Ofisa, Mike McComish, Shane Conneely.