Norton to make debut for Connacht

James Norton, who has played at u21 level for Ireland, will make his debut for Connacht at full-back for their Celtic League encounter against Newport at the Galway Sportsground this Friday.

Mark McHugh, whose injury-time drop goal saw Connacht defeat Leinster 26-23 at Donnybrook on Friday night, has been called into the Irish squad to play Russia in a World Cup qualifier.

As a result Connacht coach Steph Nel has called up 21-year-old Norton for his debut as Connacht bid to continue their winning run which has seen them win all three games to date in the competition against Borders, Cardiff and champions Leinster.

Gavin Duffy, full-back for Connacht last season, is still out through injury.

The only other change to the side is at openside wing-forward where Colm Rigney is selected with Paul Neville being named among the replacements.

Two players are back in the squad after injury with hooker Marnus Uijs and flanker Johnny O'Connor named among the replacements.

Connacht (v Newport): James Norton; Ted Robinson, Darren Yapp, Tim Allnutt (capt.), Wayne Munn; Eric Elwood, Chris Keane; Dan McFarland, Jerry Flannery, Peter Bracken; Warwick Waugh, Rowan Frost; Michael Swift, John O'Sullivan, Colm Rigney.

Replacements: Ronan McCormack, Marnus Uijs, Eric Peters, Johnny O'Connor, Eoin Reddan, Shane Moore, Martin McPhail.