Connacht travel to play the Newport Gwent Dragons this evening, and have made a few changes to the line-up.Stephen Knoop starts in place of Ray Hogan at tighthead prop and John Fogarty is recalled to Captain the side, in a reshuffled front row, in place of Adrain Flavin who is named among the replacements.David Gannon is recalled to start in place of Michael Swift in the second row, with Swift also being named among the replacements.Gavin Duffy and Daniel Riordan swap positions from how they lined up for Connacht's last game against Glasgow Warriors. Duffy is named at full back with Riordan starting at outside centre.Link
Connacht have announced details of their pre-season game against South Africa. the game will take place on Tuesday, August 21.The Springboks will be coming to Galway as part of their warm-up for the World Cup in France.South Africa will open their World Cup campaign against Samoa in Paris on September 9.For Connacht, this will be the first time they will host a visiting international side since they beat Fifi on November 14, 1995 by 27-5.Current Irish coach Eddie O'Sullivan was in charge of Connacht at that time.Connacht Rugby CEO, Gerry Kelly, said that the visit of the former World Cup winners will be a huge boost for rugby in the province."It will be a great sporting occasion and a great way for us to kick-off the new season."We are putting together a very strong squad for next season and it will be their first outing, so it promises to be a great event," he said.Details of the tickets for what will be a sell-out fixture will be announced shortly on the Connacht Rugby websit
Magners League: Michael Cheika picked a full strength Leinster team to face Connacht at Donnybrook on Saturday evening, with the exception of Brian O'Driscoll who was unavailable due to injury. While Connacht made four changes
Leinster have named thier squad to face Connacht at Donnybrook on Friday. There are still some injury worries surrounding Contepomi, but Leinster have been boosted by the welcome return of Malcolm O'Kelly
meet up in the build up to the Leinster v Connacht "Magners League" match in Ciss Madden(Kiely's side bar) Donnybrook at 15.45 on Saturday 24th of March. The match kick - off is 17.15 and Connacht Fan's should go down to the game 'en masse'.Further details on the Connacht supporters site.
This was a match Connacht really had to win, facing bottom of the table Border Reivers, and at home for the first time in many games. Conditions at The Sportsground were far from ideal, but Connacht pulled off the win, with a late try by Matt Lacey. Final score: Connacht 20-17 Borders
Connacht have confirmed that Johnny O'Connor will be returning to their squad, and have also announced that Irish international Gavin Duffy will also be back in the Connacht squad.Both players left Connacht for London in the summer of 2003 with O’Connor moving to Wasps and Duffy joining NEC Harlequins.O’Connor will be returning on a two-year deal for the start of next season, but Duffy’s return will be more immediate — he will be back training with his former side on Monday and will be available for selection for the Magners League clash against Leinster on March 23.
Wasps flanker Johnny O'Connor looks set to be returning to Connacht at the start of the next season after signing a two year deal with the province. A number of other signings for Connacht are expected to be announced, as they bid to become more than just a development side, including at least one other former player now playing in the Guinness Premiership.
