Offaly's Dooley set to make competitive debut for Connacht

Peter Dooley has been handed his first Connacht cap in tomorrow's BKT URC opener against Ulster at Kingspan Stadium (k/o 7.35pm).

The 28-year-old prop from Birr made the move west, from Leinster, during the summer.

In addition to Dooley, Josh Murphy and Byron Ralston are to receive their first Connacht cap this weekend, with Shamus Hurley-Langton and David Hawkshaw also potential debutants off the bench.

Commenting on the team announcement, Connacht Director of Rugby Andy Friend said: "We've had a very positive pre-season and there's now a huge sense of excitement among the group. There’s a genuine belief and optimism about what we can achieve in this first block of games, which all starts in Belfast tomorrow night.

"Ulster are a quality side and our battles against them are always hard fought. We're really looking forward going head-to-head with them in what should be a great season opener for us both."

CONNACHT RUGBY MATCHDAY SQUAD VS ULSTER RUGBY

Saturday, September 17, 7:35pm at Kingspan Stadium

Number/Name/Caps ( * denotes uncapped)

15. Tiernan O’Halloran (206)

14. Byron Ralston *

13. Tom Farrell (79)

12. Tom Daly (61)

11. John Porch (59)

10. Conor Fitzgerald (53)

9. Kieran Marmion (209)

1. Peter Dooley *

2. Dave Heffernan (165)

3. Jack Aungier (31)

4. Gavin Thornbury (63) (C)

5. Leva Fifita (15)

6. Josh Murphy *

7. Conor Oliver (41)

8. Paul Boyle (73)

Replacements:

16. Dylan Tierney-Martin (6)

17. Denis Buckley (208)

18. Sam Illo (2)

19. Niall Murray (35)

20. Shamus Hurley-Langton *

21. Caolin Blade (150)

22. David Hawkshaw *

23. Oran McNulty (9)