Connacht name squad for Harlequins clash

HEINEKEN CUP: Connacht have named a 26-man squad for their first Heineken Cup game — away to Harlequins at The Stoop tomorrow (8pm).

Centre Eoin Griffin along with Samoan duo Ray Ofisa and Henry Fa’afilli who missed the clash with Ulster last weekend are included, as is youngster Dave McSharry.

While this is Connacht’s first game in the competition, the squad boasts considerable Heineken Cup experience. Captain Gavin Duffy spent three seasons at Harlequins; scrum halves Frank Murphy and Paul O’Donohoe played forLeicester Tigers and Leinster respectively while TJ Anderson and Niall O’Connor both featured for Ulster.

Meanwhile the western province have signed Kyle Tonetti from Aviva Premiership club Sale Sharks. The 24-year-old former Blackrock College centre joined Sale last season. Tonetti hasrepresented Ireland at U19 and U20 level and was part of the 2007 U20 Six Nations Grand Slam winning team alongside current Connacht players Andrew Browne, Paul O’Donohoe, TJ Anderson and Niall O’Connor.

Connacht squad v Harlequins: Forwards: B Wilkinson, R Loughney, R Ah You, D Rogers, A Flavin, E Reynecke, D Gannon, M Swift, M McCarthy, TJ Anderson, E Grace, J Muldoon, R Ofisa, G Naoupu.

Backs: F Murphy, P O’Donohoe, N O’Connor, M Nikora, H Fa’afili, E Griffin, D McSharry, T O’Halloran, F Vainikolo. B Tuohy, M Jarvis, G Duffy.