Connacht XV to face Treviso
Connacht Rugby have announced the starting XV that will face Benetton Treviso on Friday night at the Sportsground.
Head Coach Eric Elwood has opted for a side that blends an experienced pack with an exciting and dynamic backline. In total there are7 changes in the starting lineup that faced the Ospreys last week.
Ethienne Reynecke and Ronan Loughney have been called into the frontrow, they join Brett Wilkinson after making their mark against Toulouse a fortnight ago.
A powerful secondrow combination of Michael Swift and George Naoupu backs them up while Dave Gannon, John Muldoon and Ray Ofisa, who earns his 100th cap for Connacht, complete the backline.
Frank Murphy and Niall O'Connor make for a changed midfield. The halfback pairing last played together in Connacht's narrow defeat to the Cardiff Blues in October at the Sportsground.
Centre sensation Dave McSharry moves back to 12 while Connacht's latest signing, Kyle Tonetti, gets his first taste of senior action at outside centre, the 24 year old flyer joined Connacht from Sale Sharks earlier this year.
Mark McCrea earns a start on the right wing, the former Ireland U19 winger scored the match-winning try against Dragons earlier this season. He is joined by Tiernan O'Halloran on the left wing and captain Gavin Duffy in the backline.
Connacht team to face Benetton Treviso (The Sportsground, Friday 2nd December, kick-off 19.30)
15 Gavin Duffy (C)
14 Mark McCrea
13 Kyle Tonetti
12 Dave McSharry
11 Tiernan O'Halloran
10 Niall O'Connor
09 Frank Murphy
01 Brett Wilkinson
02 Ethienne Reynecke
03 Ronan Loughney
04 Michael Swift
05 George Naoupu
06 Dave Gannon
07 John Muldoon
08 Ray Ofisa
16 Adrian Flavin
17 Dennis Buckley
18 Rodney Ah You
19 Mick Kearney
20 Eoghan Grace
21 Paul O'Donohoe
22 Matthew Jarvis
23 Fetu'u Vainikolo
Matthews Forced to Retire
Keith Matthews winning his 100th Cap against Edinburgh on 1/4/2011
One of Connacht's longest serving players, Keith Matthews, has been forced to retire due to injury. The 29 year old centre ruptured his Achilles during the captains run before Connacht's clash against the Cardiff Blues in April, just 13 days after earning his 100th cap for the Province.
"I had never really thought I'd be a professional rugby player, I went through schools and didn't make the Munster Schools team so never really thought of it as a career. It wasn't until I was in 1st year college in UL studying Computer Engineering that I made the Irish U19's and pushed on from there, playing with Munster's U21's for 2 years and with Ireland U21 in my final year of college. After that I was in the Irish Academy and it was then that I started thinking there might be a future in it and I got a development contract with Munster."
"When I finished college Brads (Michael Bradley) offered me a spot in Connacht and I jumped at the opportunity to play regularly. When I first came to Connacht there were only a couple of guys that are still involved here now such as John Muldoon and Michael Swift."
"Connacht have come on leaps and bounds in the last 7 seasons, it's brilliant to see, all the facilities are second to none and to have everything on one site is great. There's been loads of memorable momentsdown through the years but beating Munster here in the Sportsground in '07 stands out as one of the best. Captaining Connacht last Christmas was another huge honour for me, the fact that it was against Munster made it even better."
"I'm going to keep my options open at the moment, I've a couple of months to decide where to go next and what to do, I've got my Computer Engineering degree from the University of Limerick behind me and I've got my QFA (Qualified Financial Advisor) exams now as well so that's a route I may take. I'm also looking into going back to college next year, maybe to do a post-grad in Chartered Accountancy so we'll see what happens."
"The family are living here with me and though we've always planned to move back to Limerick at some stage I don't think we're ready to leave Galway just yet. We've been living here for 7 years and it's a great city, great people. I would definitely consider myself a Connacht-man now, so even if we do move I'll always support Connacht."
Keith with one of his trademark tackles on Ulster's Pedrie Wannenburg
"I've always enjoyed coaching as well so no matter what I do I'm sure I'll end up coaching at some level. I have completed the level 2 Assistant course have been involved with Monivea for the last couple of years, we won the Connacht Junior league the year before last and were beaten by Crosshaven in the All Ireland Junior Cup last year so even though I've taken a step back since my injury I still follow them very closely
"It's heartbreaking being told your rugby career is over but I've had a little bit of time to get my head around it and though it's a bit daunting thinking of a life without rugby in it as one chapter closes another opens so I'll keep myself busy and just get on with it
It'll be hard not playing anymore, standing in the terraces watching the guys play against Toulouse in the Heineken Cup and knowing I'll never hear the roar of the crowd after a good break or a good tackle. That was one of things that really hit home and that was pretty tough but I have no regrets at all. I like to think that every time I pulled on the green jersey I gave it my best, yeah I made mistakes, I'm only human but I always gave it 100%."
" I'm delighted to have reached 100 caps for the Province, it's a big milestone and it's great to know I'm up there on the 100 Wall, it's something I'm very proud of. I've had 7 great seasons with the club and enjoyed every single one of them and I would like to say a huge thank you to all the players, coaches, staff and medical personnel who I've worked with over the years, especially the physio's who've helped me in the last 7 months. I'd also like to thank all the Connacht fans and supporters for all the great memories.
Keith Matthews factfile:
Made his Ireland 'A' debut v England Saxons 21/6/09
7 Caps for Ireland 'A'/Wolfhounds
Won Churchill Cup in 2009
Connacht Debut v Cardiff 13-9 win Sept 2005
Won 100th Connacht cap v Edinburgh 1/4/11
Pre-Order Heineken Cup Jersey
After selling out at the Toulouse match, Connacht's official merchandise partner Elverys Sports have announced another run of the limited Edition Connacht Heineken Cup Jerseys.
Priced at €60, both eht Green and purple eagle design jerseys can be pre-ordered now on the Elverys Website.
It will make the perfect Christmas gift.
Hospitality for Gloucester
Connacht rugby are hosting a Hospitality marquee at Connacht V Gloucester on Saturday the 10th December. Sample the atmosphere of the game from our new and improved Clan terrace and enjoy a pint in the comfort of an exclusive bar. Each package is only €100 per person and includes the following;
- Your match day ticket
- Match day programme
- Marquee hospitality
- Complimentary bar before the game
- Buffet meal
- Guest speaker
- Full private cash bar facilities at half time and after the game
- Post-match entertainment
- and you will have the chance to meet the teams!
For any more information or to get yours now, contact Lyndsy on 091-561568 or at Lyndsy@cbirfu.com
Connacht Rugby Calendar
The new 2012 Connacht Rugby Calendar is now available. After a successful 2011 calendar, the team have posed for this year's perfect stocking filler. Priced at just €7.50, all proceeds go to local charity Cope Galway.
the calendar can be purchased from various outlets and at the game tomorrow evening.
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