McCarthy returns to Connacht duty

IRISH squad member Mike McCarthy returns to Connacht for today’s final pre-season fixture with English premiership side Saracens in London (6.45pm).

McCarthy, who lost out to Donnacha Ryan in Declan Kidney’s final World Cup squad of 30, will have his first outing with the province before the start of the new RaboDirect Pro 12 league next week.

McCarthy is one of six changes to the side which lost 38-3 to an Ireland Select XV last Thursday, and he will join Michael Swift in the second row.