Lam names two new caps in settled Connacht side to face Dragons

There are few surprises in Pat Lam’s Connacht squad for this evening’s Guinness Pro 12 opener at the Galway Sportsground (7.30pm).

With a settled squad and no big-name signing, there are just two new caps in the staring line-up to face the Newport Gwent Dragons with Academy and New Zealand-born Rory Parata named in the centre, and Nepia Fox-Matamua in the backrow..

Lam always planned to be without centre Robbie Henshaw on Ireland World Cup duty, but he had not bargained for new signing Api Pewhairangi, sidelined for up to four months, Dave McSharry, Darragh Leader and Niyi Adeolokun to be missing also.