Three Connacht debutants to face Springboks

Date Published: 21-Aug-2007

Three Connacht players will make their debuts for the province in tonight’s high profile pre-season clash with South Africa in front a capacity crowd at the Sportsground (7.30 p.m.).

Ofisa Treviranus — brother of forward Ray Ofisa, who also starts — lines out on the rightwing, while Australian Tim Donnelly is named at out-half. Former England international Robbie Morris will start at tighthead prop for this sell-out tie with the former World Cup champions.

In addition, Mel Deane will play his first match for Connacht since moving to Sale Sharks in 2000. Two more returning heroes, Johnny O’Connor and Mike McCarthy, will start on the bench, but it is expected one or both will be introduced over the 80 minutes of what should be a bruising contest.

Meanwhile, South Africa show widespread changes from the side that defeat Namibia —Ireland’s Pool D opponents in the forthcoming championships — in the Springboks 105-13 victory over the near neighbours in their final World Cup warm-up game on home soil.

There are no less than 11 changes in personnel. In addition, there are a number…..