Connacht starts for Wilkinson and Flavin

Brett Wilkinson and Adrian Flavin will make their competitive debuts for Connacht in the Magners League away to The Borders at Netherdale on Friday evening (7.30pm).

Captain John Fogarty's back strain will keep him on the bench and former London Irish hooker Flavin and South African Wilkinson will start in the front row alongside Stephen Knoop.

In Fogarty's absence, out-half Mark McHugh will lead The Westerners and Paul Warwick will look to give the attack width from outside centre.

CONNACHT (v The Borders): M Mostyn; C McPhillips, P Warwick, G Williams, D Yapp; M McHugh, C Keane; B Wilkinson, A Flavin, S Knoop; D Gannon, A Farley; J Muldoon, M Lacey, C Rigney.

Replacements: J Fogarty, M Diffley, M Swift, B O'Connor, T Tierney, K Matthews, D Riordan.