RUGBY:CONNACHT WILL rest a number of senior players for tonight's match following a torrid start to the season. They will also be without several of their Ireland squad contingent, including frontrow prop Brett Wilkinson and hooker Seán Cronin, as well as the injured Gavin Duffy. Consequently coach Eric Elwood has given a number of younger players the chance to compete for places in what is hoped to be a spectacle against Samoa.
Connacht Academy backrow graduate Eoin McKeon starts and Shane Conneely is set to make his competitive debut from the bench. Along with South African prop Dylan Rogers and Blackrock College and Ireland Under-21 winger Shane Monahan the side is experimentally a blend of experiences, the heft of John Muldoon, one player allowed to join the fun from the Ireland squad.
Released by Declan Kidney in order to get some match time under his belt, the inspirational Muldoon will begin on the bench, replacing Michael McCarthy.
Brian Touhy and Conor O’Loughlin will look to make their first appearances of the campaign and a new halfback pairing of Cillian Willis and Miah Nikora will be joined by Ferbane native Aidan Wynne and Galway’s Eoin Griffin in the back line.
The squad, with a total of eight graduates will also be without Connacht Samoans, centre Niva Ta’auso and Ray Ofisa, who were both injured against Treviso and are unavailable.
Sportsground natives noted today with some curiosity the Samoan run-out on the pitch was greeted with rain so constant and heavy that safely-covered observers could barely see the players at the other side of the pitch.
Hopefully there will be nothing biblical tonight for what is also a shadow Samoan side in which former Connacht winger Gavin Williams makes a return to the west and hopes to take part at some stage from the bench.
But Samoa, who will doubtlessly showcase their tackling and sevens’ running abilities, have some quality in the side.
Wasps lock Daniel Leo, Hawke’s Bay winger Sinoti Sinoti and Clermont Auvergne hooker Ti’I Paulo are all named in the starting team.
The tourists last came to the Sportsground in 1988 and lost to a Connacht side 25-18 to a Tom Clancy captained side.
A Munster team shorn of their frontline players in recent years almost undid the All Blacks in one of the most hair-raising matches of the decade.
Almost over 20 years later, Connacht seek a more modest but rare win over a national side.
CONNACHT: T Nathan; S Monahan, E Griffin, A Wyne, B Toughy; M Nikora, C Willis; R Loughney, A Flavin, capt, B Fa’amausili, A Browne, B Upton, E McKeon, M McComish, E Taylor. Replacements: D Murphy, R Sweeney, D Rogers, M McCarthy, S Conneely, C O’Loughlin, D Fanning.
SAMOA: M Pesamino; F Otto, U Setu, J Helleur, S Sinoti; L Lui, capt, J Poleluligaga; S Lemalu, T Paulo, L Mulipola, C Slade, D Leo, M Timoteo, F Selesele, R Muagututia. Replacements: M Schwalger, N Leleimalefaga, F Levi, A Aiono, U Mai, B Vaaulu, G Williams.
Referee: J Lacy (IRFU).
