Connacht Rugby v Emirates Lions, Saturday 7.15pm

Connacht lock Joe Joyce is well aware of what lies in store at the Galway Sportsground this weekend - both on and off the field.

“Physically, you know when you take on any South African team you need to be ready and expect a really tough battle,” said the former Bristol forward.

“This is the first game of the Lions’ tour away from home, so they will be buzzing. But we are as well and each lad can’t wait to play in front of that green army.

“The supporters have been savage in each game and give us that extra 10 per cent and that’s what we expect again - those supporters in the four corners of the ground to really get behind us.”

Providing the perspective from the Lions set-up, scrum coach Julian Redelinghuys said: 

“The vibe inside camp is great. We tend to travel well, and the guys enjoy one another’s company. It’s also a nice opportunity to bond as a squad. Coming off a win against the Sharks two weeks ago also bodes well for team spirit.”

Connacht Head Coach Pete Wilkins said: “Tomorrowmarks the start of a huge block of games for us both in the Vodacom URC and EPCR ChallengeCup. We navigated through the Guinness Six Nations period with the two wins weneeded, so now we want to build on that for the remainder of the season. TheEmirates Lions are getting stronger with every year they’re in thiscompetition, and they’re one of the strongest South African sides away fromhome. So we’re fully aware of the challenge ahead, and the need for us to be atthe top of our game to get the win.”

Connacht: Tiernan O’Halloran, Byron Ralston, David Hawkshaw, CathalForde, Andrew Smith, JJ Hanrahan, Caolin Blade (CAPT), Denis Buckley, TadghMcElroy, Jack Aungier, Niall Murray, Joe Joyce, Cian Prendergast, Conor Oliver,Sean O’Brien

Replacements: Dave Heffernan, Jordan Duggan,Sam Illo, Darragh Murray, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Colm Reilly, Jack Carty, PaulBoyle