2016 champions Connacht will entertain 2015 title winners Glasgow when Kieran Keane and Dave Rennie – former Super Rugby coaches from the Chiefs – go head-to-head as they take charge of their new teams for the first time.
GUINNESS PRO14: Saturday, September 2
CONNACHT v GLASGOW WARRIORS, the Sportsground, 7.35pm (live TG4/Galway Bay FM/BBC ALBA)
Team News: New signing Jarrad Butler will make his competitive debut for Connacht on Saturday in the opening round of the GUINNESS PRO14 against Glasgow Warriors in Galway.
Bundee Aki also returns to the side in a centre partnership with Eoin Griffin as Connacht aim to get off to a winning start in Galway under new head coach Kieran Keane.
The team is further strengthened by the inclusion of Denis Buckley, Finlay Bealham and fit-again lock Ultan Dillane in the tight five. Kieran Marmion – one of five Ireland-capped players in the XV – starts at half-back where he links up again with Jack Carty.
John Muldoon captains the province from number 8 in his 15th season with his native province. Eoghan Masterson joins him in the back row for the Championship opener along with debutant Butler, the former Brumbie.
Speaking to reporters ahead of his first competitive game at the Sportsground, where he faces his former colleague Dave Rennie, Connacht head coach Keane said: “It’s ironic that we face Dave’s Glasgow side in my first game in charge. They will be playing an open expansive style of rugby as will we.
“There was an incredible atmosphere for our pre-season game at home to Bristol last week, I’m sure the guys will get a massive reception when they take to the field again on Saturday evening.”
A limited number of tickets are still available for the PRO14 opener on Saturday, with savings of up to 15% available when purchased online.
Meanwhile, Alex Dunbar will reach 100 appearances for Glasgow Warriors as the club kick off their new season in the inaugural GUINNESS PRO14 against Connacht. The 27-year-old, who signed a two-year contract extension with Warriors last season, starts at outside centre as Dave Rennie names his first competitive Warriors squad.
Dunbar has scored 12 tries in his eight years with Glasgow and will be joined by Sam Johnson in the middle of the park at the Sportsground. Ruaridh Jackson begins his second stint at Warriors in the number 15 jersey, adding to his 113 Glasgow appearances following three years playing in England.
Lelia Masaga will make his competitive debut on the right wing, the former All Black having impressed in Glasgow’s 40-23 win pre-season over the Dragons, while Lee Jones completes the back-three.
Hooker George Turner is another player representing the club for the first time, joining forces with Jamie Bhatti and Zander Fagerson in the front row. Tim Swinson combines with Scott Cummings in the second row, packing down in front of Matt Smith, Adam Ashe and newly-appointed club captain Ryan Wilson.
Oli Kebble will be looking to make his debut, while Adam Hastings could make his first competitive appearance in a Glasgow shirt off the bench. BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy players Adam Nicol and Matt Fagerson are also named among the replacements.
CONNACHT: Darragh Leader, Cian Kelleher, Eoin Griffin, Bundee Aki, Matt Healy; Jack Carty, Kieran Marmion; Denis Buckley, Tom McCartney, Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, James Cannon, Eoghan Masterson, Jarrad Butler, John Muldoon (capt).
Replacements: Shane Delahunt, Peter McCabe, Conor Carey, Sean O’Brien, Eoin McKeon, Conor McKeon, Craig Ronaldson, Tom Farrell.
GLASGOW WARRIORS: Ruaridh Jackson; Lelia Masaga, Alex Dunbar, Sam Johnson, Lee Jones; Peter Horne, Ali Price; Jamie Bhatti, George Turner, Zander Fagerson, Tim Swinson, Scott Cummings, Ryan Wilson (capt), Matt Smith, Adam Ashe.
Replacements: James Malcolm, Oli Kebble, Adam Nicol, Greg Peterson, Matt Fagerson, Henry Pyrgos, Adam Hastings, Leonardo Sarto.
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
Assistant Referees: Dan Jones (Wales), Stuart Gaffikin (Ireland)
Television Match Official: Peter Ferguson (Ireland)
Match Odds (Paddy Power): Connacht to win: 8/11; Draw: 18/1; Glasgow Warriors to win: 6/5
Pre-Match Quotes: Tiernan O’Halloran (Connacht) – “The training ground has been a happy place in recent weeks. While we were waiting for ‘KK’ (Kieran Keane) to link up, the other coaches were leading things, and there certainly was a bit of anticipation ahead of his arrival. You could see lads were really putting their hands up to impress.
“KK had passed on his plans to Nigel (Carolan) and Jimmy (Duffy), and once he arrived he seemed to be pretty happy with the progress we had made. There were one or two tweaks that needed to be made, but that training hit-out against Munster was huge for us.
Then against Wasps we had progressed another bit last week. It was a real solid performance, apart from the last half-an-hour or so, where we made a few defensive slip-ups. So, to round off our preparation with a quality win over Bristol, the lads feel positive that all their hard work has paid off and that we’re ready to take on Glasgow to open the new GUINNESS PRO14 season.
“The positive side of not being out on the field so far has been the chance to work with Johnny O’Connor again. There’s not too many lads left that would have been around when Johnny was a player here, but we’re the ones that know you don’t want to get on his wrong side. But as well as having that steely edge, Johnny is a top class coach. He has such a strong rugby background, but also now has a multi-sport experience in strength and conditioning.
“He has really pushed me hard in recent weeks and I must say I’ve enjoyed it hugely. As a group, we have got a good kick out of working with Johnny and our new Head of Athletic Performance, Dave Howarth. I think it’s good to have a couple of new faces around the place. There is a real fresh feeling in that department now, and it is driving us on to hit new targets in the gym.
“With the new signings and the new coaching set-up there is a real different feel to the season, but we know that Glasgow are in the same boat as well. Their coach Dave Rennie only joined them two weeks ago, having come from the Chiefs like KK. I’m sure they are both excited about pitting their wits against each other, but hopefully we are the team with the tick in the win column come Saturday night.”
Jonathan Humphreys (Glasgow Warriors) – “There are different people at Glasgow, there are different coaches at Connacht and with pre-season games you can’t really tell how they’re going to go.
“Ruaridh (Jackson) played really well against the Dragons. We were all really impressed with him. It’s great to have him back – he’s played over 100 times for the club and it’s as if he’s never been away.
“Reaching 100 caps will mean a lot to Alex Dunbar, he says it’s been a long time coming! It’s a special group, those 100 cap guys, so it’ll be a proud moment for him on Saturday night.”
Top Scorers – 2016/17 GUINNESS PRO12: Connacht – Points: Craig Ronaldson 73; Tries: Niyi Adeolokun 6; Glasgow Warriors – Points: Finn Russell 84; Tries: Tommy Seymour 8
RECENT LEAGUE MEETINGS:
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
Saturday, September 3, 2016 – Connacht 5 Glasgow Warriors 41, the Sportsground
Saturday, March 25, 2017 – Glasgow Warriors 35 Connacht 24, Scotstoun Stadium
MATCH FACTS:
– New Zealander Kieran Keane takes over the mantle from Pat Lam as Connacht head coach
– Connacht’s only victory in the final six rounds last season was 22-19 in Edinburgh on April 7
– Connacht were beaten 41-5 at home by Glasgow Warriors in round 1 last year to end a run of three
opening weekend victories
– Kiwi Dave Rennie takes over as Glasgow head coach from Gregor Townsend after being in charge at the Chiefs in Waikato since 2012
– Glasgow Warriors finished in sixth place in the table last season but gained just one win in the last four rounds: against Zebre at Scotstoun on April 14
– Warriors have not won away from home since beating Leicester Tigers 43-0 in the Champions Cup at Welford Road in January, while their only victory against Irish opposition since last September was at home to Connacht in March
– The Scotsmen have lost just once on the opening weekend since 2012: at home to the Scarlets in 2015
– Connacht have beaten Glasgow just twice in their last 13 encounters since 2011, and both of those were in successive matches in Galway in May 2016 in round 22 and the semi-final
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