Connacht name extended squad

Connacht have followed Leinster in naming an extended squad for their clash this Saturday at The Sportsground.

Tongan international centre Andrew Mailei and Gavin Williams have both been included in the squad for the first time.

Coach Michael Bradley will wait and see how injuries to Dan McFarland (back), Ronan Loughney (knee), Keith Matthews (Groin), Brendan O’Connor (Thigh), Darren Yapp (calf) progress before making his final decision on the match-day squad.

CONNACHT SQUAD (v Leinster).

Forwards: (14) Dan McFarland, Ronan Loughney, Ray Hogan, Stephen Knoop, John Fogarty, Joe Merrigan, David Gannon, Andrew Farley (captain), Christian Short, Matt Lacey, Michael Swift, Brendan O’Connor, Colm Rigney, John Muldoon.

Backs: (12) Tom Tierney, Chris Keane, Paul Warwick, David Slemen, Conor McPhillips, Ted Robinson, John Hearty, Keith Matthews, Gavin Williams, Andrew Mailei, Darren Yapp, Matt Mostyn.