Farley joy as Connacht to face off with Super 14 giants Queensland

AUSTRALIAN Super 14 outfit Queensland Reds were yesterday confirmed as one of the sides facing Connacht in pre-season friendlies at the Sportsgrounds, Galway next month.

In a major coup for the Westerners, the Reds who finished third from bottom in this season’s competition will complete a four-game series for Michael Bradley’s side who will also face Leeds, Harlequins and London Welsh.

It will be an emotional evening for Connacht lock Andrew Farley as he faces his former side.

Admitted Farley: “It’s exciting. It’s been seven years since I played for Queensland so there are a lot of fresh young faces in that side since I was there and they’ve a lot of talent. They’re starting to play a brand new style of rugby now and it’ll be a good experience for our guys to play a southern hemisphere side at the Sportsground.

‘‘What is also worth noting is that the Reds will have played with the new ELVs for the previous season and it’ll be good for us to play against a side who’ve already adapted to that style of play.”

Saturday (August 9th): Connacht v Leeds (6.30pm).

Saturday (August 16th): Connacht v Harlequins (6.30pm).

Friday (August 22nd): Connacht v London Welsh (6.30pm).

Tuesday (August 26th): Connacht v Queensland Reds (7.30pm).