Samoan star Ofisa set for Connacht debut

SAMOAN flanker Ray Ofisa could make his debut for Connacht against Edinburgh Gunners in the Magners League at the Sportsground on Friday.

The 26-year-old, who moved to Otago in New Zealand when he was 19, has been included in a 22-man squad for Friday’s game by Michael Bradley.

Centre Paul Warwick has been ruled out with a thigh injury, while prop Stephen Knoop, who missed the game against the Llanelli Scarlets, is again ruled out.

two more props, Ronan Loughney and Ray Hogan, are also unavailable.

Meanwhile, Ulster could still be without inspirational captain Justin Harrison for Friday’s Magners League game against the Ospreys at Ravenhill.

The big, bustling former Wallaby missed last weekend’s defeat by Edinburgh due to a calf injury, but coach Mark McCall his hopeful he will be fit.

“It’s too early to call. There is still a little doubt over Justin. He trained with the squad yesterday, but we will have to wait and see if there is any reaction,” said McCall who will select his team to face the Welshmen tomorrow.

“It promises to be yet another hard game. The league is very competitive with nobody having won every game so far.

“Ospreys are one of those teams that can do real damage. On paper they are probably one of the strongest squads in the league, and we will have to be at our best to beat them at Ravenhill,” said McCall whose team were knocked off the top of the table after their demise at Murrayfield.

“Defeat last week was disappointing, but we have addressed the areas that we thought needed a little surgery,” said McCall who is having to prepare without nine players on duty with the national squad.

“We don’t get the players back until Thursday, but I know we will still have a hungry bunch of players. Out players are now tough and mentally strong and we aim to bounce back with a vengeance.”

However, there is better news with promising young prop Michael Diffley available for selection. The Roscommon native retired injured against Llanelli Scarlets but has recovered and is included in the squad.

CONNACHT squad (v Edinburgh Gunners): M Mostyn, D Riordan, B Sturgess, J Fogarty, A Flavin, C Rigney, R Ofisa, M Lacey, J Muldoon, M McHugh, D Slemen, D Yapp, T Tierney, B Wilkinson, J Hearty, G Williams, C Keane, M Diffley, M Swift, A Farley, D Gannon, K Matthews.