Connacht name side to face Samoa

The Connacht side to face Samoa in the Sportsground next Tuesday has been named.

With a number of senior players being rested following a tough start to the Magners League and Amlin Challenge Cup, Head Coach Eric Elwood has given a number of younger players the opportunity to compete for places.

Connacht Academy back row graduates Eoin McKeon and Shane Conneely are set to make their competitive debuts, along with South African prop Dylan Rogers and Blackrock College and Ireland U21 winger Shane Monahan in a side that sees a mix of youth and experience.

Brian Touhy and Conor O’Loughlin will make their first appearances of the 2010/2011 campaign and a new and exciting half back pairing of Cillian Willis and Miah Nikora will be joined by Ferbane native Aidan Wynne and Galway man Eoin Griffin in the back line.

The squad has a total of eight graduates – Ronan Loughney, Andrew Browne, Eoin McKeon, Aidan Wynne, Eoin Griffin, Dermot Murphy, Shane Conneely and Conor O’Loughlin - from the Connacht Academy which has prospered in recent years under the guidance of Academy Director and Ireland U20 Assistant Coach Nigel Carolan.

Connacht’s clash with Samoa kicks off in the Sportsground on Tuesday 9 November at 7.05pm and will be broadcast live on RTE.

Connacht: Troy Nathan; Shane Monahan, Eoin Griffin, Aidan Wynne, Brian Touhy; Miah Nokora, Cillian Willis; Ronan Loughney, Adrian Flavin, Barry Fa’amausili; Andrew Browne, Bernie Upton; Eoin McKeon, Mike McComish, Ezra Taylor

Replacements: Dermot Murphy, Rob Sweeney, Dylan Rogers, Michael McCarthy, Shane Conneely, Conor O’Loughlin, Darragh Fanning