ERIC ELWOOD HAS NAMED two new players in the squad to play Scarlets away on Saturday.

Summer signing Darragh Fanning and Academy graduate Shane Conneely both feature in the squad named today.

Fanning played previously in the Leinster academy sides, and featured for the Westerners across the backline in a number of pre-season friendlies. Backrow Conneelly previously played for the Connacht under 18 and under 20 teams.

Conneely will be expected to fill in for Ezra Taylor, the number eight who was ruled out earlier this week for a number of weeks.

Manager Elwood spoke on the club website, saying he expects a “backlash”:

“ You have to expect a backlash and with our record over their they will probably be expecting to win by 5 points, conversely we are looking to improve our away form, we have set ourselves a good target for this week, that’s the challenge and we’re looking forward to it”

CONNACHT (to play Scarlets on Saturday 11 September, 3.00pm):

Forwards: Ronan Loughney, Brett Wilkinson, Sean Cronin, Adrian Flavin, Rob Sweeney, Jamie Hagan, Dave Nolan, Michael Swift, Bernie Upton, Michael McCarthy, Ray Ofisa, Mike McComish, Shane Conneely

Backs: Cillian Willis, Frank Murphy, Miah Nikora, Ian Keatley, Fionn Carr, Keith Matthews, Niva Taauso, Tiernan OHalloran, Aidan Wynne, Troy Nathan, Gavin Duffy, Darragh Fanning.