Connacht v Aironi - Match Thread - Sat 21/04/12

Razor good to go, woo-hoooo...!!!

Connacht squad to face Aironi
Thursday, 19 April 2012 10:57


Connacht Rugby have announced an extended squad to face Aironi this weekend (The Sportsground – Saturday 21st April – kick-off 17.00)

There is only one omission from last week’s squad with Brett Wilkinson sidelined after picking up a calf injury in the victory over Ulster last weekend. Ray Ofisa has recovered from the knock that saw him replaced early on in that match and Adrian Flavin will face a late fitness test to assess his availability after missing out last weekend.

Connacht are looking to finish the season on a high and after recent victories over the Dragons and Ulster Eric Elwood’s men are well placed to climb the RaboDirect PRO12 table. Just two points separate Connacht from the Dragons and Treviso and a best ever eighth place finish is certainly within reach.

Connacht Rugby will throw open it’s doors for a family fun day this Saturday. From 2.30pm the Sportsground will be transformed with bouncy castles, obstacle courses, rugby skills, meet the players and much more. Further details can be found on www.connachtrugby.ie

Connacht squad to face Aironi:

Forwards:

Ronan Loughney, Stewart Maguire, Denis Buckley, Rodney Ah You, Ethienne Reynecke, Dermot Murphy, Adrian Flavin, Michael Swift, Mike McCarthy, Mick Kearney, Eoin McKeon, John Muldoon, Johnny O’Connor, Ray Ofisa, George Naoupu

Backs:

Frank Murphy, Paul O’Donohoe, Miah Nikora, Matthew Jarvis, Eoin Griffin, Henry Fa’afili, Kyle Tonetti, Tiernan O’Halloran, Fetu’u Vainikolo, James Loxton, Gavin Duffy (C)

Aironi Team announced...

AironiRugby wrote: AIRONI MAKE JUST ONE CHANGE TO FACE CONNACHT

For immediate release Friday 20th April 2012
Issued on behalf of Aironi Rugby

Aironi fly to Galway to face Connacht tomorrow at the Sportsground (Saturday, kick-off at 5 pm) for their last away match of the season. After playing a good game game against the Scarlets a week ago but collecting just a defensive bonus point, coming up short to lose 23-26, the Italian side has its last opportunity of the 2011-2012 season to achieve a win away from Stadio Zaffanella (where they beat Connacht twice). Ian Davies takes charge of the match, his first in the RaboDirect PRO12.

There’s just one change in the Aironi starting XV. Giovanbattista Venditti is back on the wing, with Sinoti Sinoti switching to outside centre in place of Gilberto Pavan, who starts from the bench.

Fullback Tito Tebaldi, wing Giulio Toniolatti and inside centre Matteo Pratichetti complete the back line, while Luciano Orquera and Tyson Keats pair up again in the halves.

There are no changes in the pack. Josh Sole is at number 8 and flankers Nicola Cattina and Simone Favaro complete the back row, captain Marco Bortolami and Quintin Geldenhuys are the locks. In the front row Matias Aguero and Lorenzo Romano are the props with Fabio Ongaro hooking.

The game in Galway will be pretty special for Paolo Buso. After playing in three games and scorin 12 points (3 penalties and a drop goal) last season coming from a long injury break, Buso was injured again during the summer. Now, after a long recovery, Aironi’s utility back is ready to go again and collects his first call-up of the season in the matchday squad and will start from the bench.

AIRONI: 15 Tito Tebaldi; 14 Giulio Toniolatti, 13 Sinoti Sinoti, 12 Matteo Pratichetti, 11 Giovanbattista Venditti; 10 Luciano Orquera, 9 Tyson Keats; 8 Josh Sole, 7 Simone Favaro, 6 Nicola Cattina; 5 Marco Bortolami (cap), 4 Quintin Geldenhuys; 3 Lorenzo Romano, 2 Fabio Ongaro, 1 Matias Aguero.

Replacements: 16 Tommaso D’Apice, 17 Alberto De Marchi, 18 Luca Redolfini, 19 Joshua Furno, 20 Nick Williams, 21 Naas Olivier, 22 Gilberto Pavan, 23 Paolo Buso.

Coach: Rowland Phillips

ummm, wrote: Great to see Buckley give his start, proper decision.

Glad to see Ray and Henry starting in their final home games. I hope they're given a rousing send off.

And I hope we also give Aironi a respectful goodbye as well. We came very close to disappearing not to long ago.

Diom wrote:

connachtexile wrote: That's the live one on after the last game? Will be Ray be attending? Does anyone know about Keith Matthews?

I'm in Oz at the mo so won't be there. Would dearly love to be as well.

Ray will be there, but not to answer questions. He's a bit shy for that!