Connacht begin their GUINNESS PRO12 title defence against familiar opposition in Galway, as Glasgow Warriors return to the scene of last May’s round 22 and semi-final defeats.
GUINNESS PRO12: Saturday, September 3
CONNACHT v GLASGOW WARRIORS, the Sportsground, 5.15pm (live Sky Sports 1 HD/Galway Bay FM)
Team News: Connacht head coach Pat Lam has named his first team of the new GUINNESS PRO12 season as his side prepares to host Glasgow Warriors at the Sportsground.
New signing Cian Kelleher will make his competitive debut, lining out at full-back against the Scottish side. The 22-year-old is named in a back-three with Niyi Adeolokun and Ireland international Matt Healy.
Eoin Griffin has been handed the number 13 shirt for his return to the Sportsground after two seasons with London Irish. The 25-year-old from Galway will partner the 2015/16 PRO12 Players’ Player of the Season, Bundee Aki, in midfield.
In the pack, Denis Buckley makes a welcome return to the front row after his lengthy lay off recovering from an ankle injury. Internationals Finlay Bealham and Ultan Dillane are also named and Nepia Fox-Matamua (pictured below) returns to start in the back row with Eoin McKeon and captain John Muldoon.
From the bench, lock Lewis Stevenson is in line to make his full Connacht debut and Kieran Marmion comes in as the replacement scrum half.
Meanwhile, Sean Lamont could become the latest Glasgow Warriors centurion off the bench and Ryan Grant will make his 100th PRO12 appearance if he comes on.
Scotland international trio Stuart Hogg, Tommy Seymour and Jonny Gray return to the starting line-up after missing the Warriors’ pre-season fixtures.
Italian international Leonardo Sarto will make his competitive debut for the club on the right wing, while Alex Dunbar and Sam Johnson link up in midfield. Peter Horne starts at out-half and co-captain Henry Pyrgos will wear the number 9 jersey.
Scotland internationals Gordon Reid, Pat MacArthur and Zander Fagerson are named in the front row, with Tim Swinson partnering co-captain Jonny Gray in the engine room. Rob Harley, Simone Favaro and Ryan Wilson make up the back row combination.
Former All Black hooker Corey Flynn, Namibian international second row Tjiuee Uanivi and BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy Stage 3 back rower Lewis Wynne could all make their debuts as replacements.
CONNACHT: Cian Kelleher; Niyi Adeolokun, Eoin Griffin, Bundee Aki, Matt Healy; Jack Carty, Caolin Blade; Denis Buckley, Tom McCartney, Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, Daniel Qualter, Eoin McKeon, Nepia Fox-Matamua, John Muldoon (capt).
Replacements: Dave Heffernan, Ronan Loughney, JP Cooney, Lewis Stevenson, James Connolly, Kieran Marmion, Shane O’Leary, Peter Robb.
GLASGOW WARRIORS: Stuart Hogg; Leonardo Sarto, Alex Dunbar, Sam Johnson, Tommy Seymour; Peter Horne, Henry Pyrgos (co-capt); Gordon Reid, Pat MacArthur, Zander Fagerson, Tim Swinson, Jonny Gray (co-capt), Rob Harley, Simone Favaro, Ryan Wilson.
Replacements: Corey Flynn, Ryan Grant, Sila Puafisi, Tjiuee Uanivi, Lewis Wynne, Ali Price, Rory Clegg, Sean Lamont.
Referee: Ian Davies (Wales)
Assistant Referees: Sean Brickell (Wales), Eddie Hogan O’Connell (Ireland)
Television Match Official: Jon Mason (Wales)
Match Odds (Paddy Power): Connacht to win: 11/10; Draw: 19/1; Glasgow Warriors to win: 8/11
Pre-Match Quotes: Pat Lam (Connacht) – “What an exciting game to kick off a new season at home where we have two teams who really like to express themselves. Games against Glasgow are always tough and uncompromising and with their impressive selection of international players, we expect that to be no different on Saturday.
“It’s a new season and a somewhat new-look side with just eight who started at Murrayfield in May lining out on Saturday evening. Today is the last time all 12 teams will be level on points. With five points on offer now our focus is on the process which will give us the best chance of winning.
“Starting the league at home is a huge boost and we’re looking forward to experiencing the magical atmosphere here at the Sportsground once again come 5.15pm.”
Gregor Townsend (Glasgow Warriors) – “Our players have worked extremely hard over pre-season and we’re looking forward to going back to the Sportsground on Saturday night.
“Connacht are the champions and I’m sure they will be full of confidence playing at home again. They played some outstanding rugby last season and they will be formidable opponents for us.
“We have an experienced group heading to Ireland, one which will be full of determination to do much better than on our previous visit. It should be a fascinating contest.”
Top Scorers – 2015/16 GUINNESS PRO12: Connacht – Points: Craig Ronaldson 89; Tries: Matt Healy 10; Glasgow Warriors – Points: Duncan Weir 114; Tries: Taqele Naiyaravoro 6
RECENT LEAGUE MEETINGS:
Sunday, February 9, 2014 – Glasgow Warriors 8 Connacht 6, Scotstoun Stadium
Friday, September 26, 2014 – Glasgow Warriors 39 Connacht 21, Scotstoun Stadium
Saturday, April 25, 2015 – Connacht 13 Glasgow Warriors 31, the Sportsground
Friday, September 11, 2015 – Glasgow Warriors 33 Connacht 32, Scotstoun Stadium
Saturday, May 7, 2016 – Connacht 14 Glasgow Warriors 7, the Sportsground
Saturday, May 21, 2016 – Semi-final – Connacht 16 Glasgow Warriors 11, the Sportsground
MATCH FACTS:
– Reigning GUINNESS PRO12 champions Connacht have begun their campaigns with an opening weekend victory in five of the past six seasons
– Connacht’s only defeat in any competition at the Sportsground last season came at the hands of Ulster in the PRO12 on December 26
– Glasgow Warriors concluded last season with a pair of defeats, both to Connacht in Galway, and have not lost three in a row in the PRO12 for four years
– The Warriors’ most recent victory in the league was a record one, beating Zebre 70-10 at Scotstoun Stadium in round 21
– Connacht’s victories over Glasgow Warriors in May in round 22 and the semi-final ended a run of eight successive victories for the Warriors against westerners
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