Rugby: Connacht captain John Muldoon makes a return to Eric Elwood's squad for their opening Amlin Challenge Cup clash away to Italian side Rugby I Cavalieri on Saturday.
The Ireland flanker fractured his arm playing against the All Blacks during the summer and has been troubled by a groin injury in recent weeks.
Elwood has rested prop Jamie Hagan, with former Australian under-19 frontrow Barry Fa’amusili coming in to the squad for the first time, while loosehead prop Brett Wilkinson is set to make his 100th appearance for the province at Stadio Lungobisenzio
Newcomers Shane Monahan and Darragh Fanning are named amongst the backs.
Connacht squad: Backs:Cillian Willis, Frank Murphy, Ian Keatley, Miah Nikora, Fionn Carr, Aidan Wynne, Shane Monahan, Darragh Fanning, Troy Nathan, Niva Ta'auso.
Forwards:Brett Wilkinson, Rob Sweeney, Ronan Loughney, Barry Fa'amusili, Dermot Murphy, Adrian Flavin, Michael Swift, Bernie Upton, Andrew Browne, Mike McComish, Michael McCarthy, Johnny O'Connor, John Muldoon (capt).