Having recovered from a hamstring treatment in Germany, centre Kyle Tonetti has been included in Eric Elwood’s 26-man squad for Saturday’s RaboDirect PRO12 clash with Leinster at the RDS (7.45pm).
Tonetti trained with the squad in Galway today ahead of Saturday’s derby match which is a must-win for both provinces with Connacht placed tenth in the table and Leinster looking to end a three-game losing streak.
The extended squad also includes 23-year-old winger Matt Healy who could earn his first cap for the province on Saturday evening.
Elwood will announce the starting XV and replacements tomorrow at midday.
Forwards: Brett Wilkinson; Denis Buckley; Ronan Loughney; Nathan White; Rodney Ah You; Jason Harris Wright; Ethienne Reynecke; Michael Swift; Mick Kearney; Andrew Browne; Johnny O’Connor; Eoghan Grace; Eoin McKeon; George Naoupu.
Backs: Kieran Marmion; Paul O’Donohoe; Dan Parks; Matthew Jarvis; Fetu’u Vainikolo; Matt Healy; Dave McSharry; Eoin Griffin; Danie Poolman; Kyle Tonetti; Tiernan O’Halloran; Robbie Henshaw.
Unavailable through injury: Gavin Duffy, Willie Faloon, John Muldoon, Frank Murphy, Miah Nikora.