Connacht v Newport-Gwent Dragons, (Saturday, 5pm Sportsground)
All Black and new signing Mils Muliaina won’t be up and running for Connacht until his elbow mends. The fullback has been struggling with the injury since he returned to the Chiefs following a two-year stint in Japan and that problem now carries into Galway.
But former Leinster lock Quinn Roux, scrum half Ian Porter and wing Niyi Adeolokun will all make their Connacht debuts against Newport tomorrow. Adeolokun will be earning his first ever professional cap.
It’s not Connacht’s strongest starting team, with players such as Kieron Marmion on the bench. Marmion was given permission by the IRFU to take his place among the replacements for a watching brief as Lam is short of players at nine.
But Connacht face a Newport side that also has a mix of experience with five players making their debut for the club including Welsh international and captain Lee Byrne.
Jack Carty starts for the homeside at outhalf while Shane Layden, from Carrick-on-Shannon, has been named at fullback. The 21-year-old Academy back made a substitute appearance against Leinster in October 2011 but has battled with injuries in recent years.
A former minor Roscommon footballer, he has trained with the senior squad all summer to earn his place.
Up front, John Muldoon will captain from the blindside in a backrow with fellow Galway man Eoin McKeon and New Zealander Jake Heenan.
“Despite some of the injuries we have, the competitiveness shown by the squad has made it difficult for the coaches but at the end of the day, that’s what we want from the players,” said Lam. “The team that is lining out tomorrow is based on the hard work that has been done over the last nine weeks.
"It's a very young side throughout but having the experience of leaders John Muldoon and Nathan White on the field will be invaluable."
Connacht are hoping to establish a strong home record but Newport are coming into the match off a huge win against Northampton last weekend, suggesting that the young side could struggle in their opener.
Connacht: S Layden; N Adeolokun, D Leader, D McSharry, D Poolman,; J Carty, I Porter; D Buckley, D Heffernan, N White, M Kearney, Q Roux, J Muldoon (captain), J Heenan, E McKeon. Replacements – S Henry, F Bealham, R Ah You, G Naoupu, W Faloon, K Marmion, M Nikora, C Finn.
Newport: L Byrne (captain); T Prydie, T Morgan, J Dixon, A Brew; J Tovey, J Evans; B Stankovich, E Dee, L Fairbrother, A Coombs, R Landman, L Evans, N Cudd, A Powell. Replacements - T. Rhys Thomas, O Evans, D Way, I Gough, T Faletau, D Jones, G Rhys Jones, Barney Nightingale.
