Connacht announce preseason friendlies

Connacht are bringing a festival of rugby to Galway for their preseason friendlies which are due to take place this August, which includes the first ever meeting with Australian Super 14 side, Queensland Reds.

The series of games kicks off on Saturday August 9 against Leeds before facing old rivals Harlequins a week later. The following week Connacht then face London Welsh on Friday August 22 before concluding their preseason fixtures against the Queensland Reds on Tuesday August 26.

Connacht lock Andrew Farley is really looking forward to playing his former side.

He said: “It’s exciting. It’s been seven years since I played for Queensland so there are a lot of fresh young faces in that side since I was there and they’ve a lot of talent.

“They’re starting to play a brand new style of rugby now and it’ll be a good experience for our guys to play a southern hemisphere side at the Sportsground. What is also worth noting is that the Reds will have played with the new ELVs for the previous season and it’ll be good for us to play against a side who’ve already adapted to that style of play.”

Saturday August 9 - Connacht v Leeds (kick-off: 6.30pm)

Saturday August 16 - Connacht v Harlequins (kick-off: 6.30pm)

Friday August 22 - Connacht v London Welsh (kick-off: 6.30pm)

Tuesday August 26 - Connacht v Queensland Reds (kick-off: 7.30pm)