Frank Murphy will skipper the side form scrum-half with Irish Internationals Sean Cronin and Gavin Duffy making the return following their Summer tours with the National side. New signing Ezra Taylor is included at no. 8 while Cillian Willis and Rob Sweeney will look to make a big impact from the bench.

Speaking during the week about the clash Head Coach Eric Elwood said that though Connacht have a good record against the Dragons in the Sportsground (Connacht have won four out of the last five home games against them) neither team has a run of form as its the first match so nothing was taken for granted.

Connacht team to face Newport Gwent Dragons:
1 Brett Wilkinson
2 Sean Cronin
3 Jamie Hagan
4 Michael Swift
5 Bernie Upton
6 Michael McCarthy
7 Ray Ofisa
8 Ezra Taylor

9 Frank Murphy (C)
10 Ian Keatley
11 Fionn Carr
12 Keith Matthews
13 Niva Taauso
14 Troy Nathan
15 Gavin Duffy

16 Adrian Flavin
17 Ronan Loughney
18 Rob Sweeney
19 Dave Nolan
20 Mike McComish
21 Cillian Willis
22 Miah Nikora
23 Tiernan OHalloran