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The games are about to begin and the goal is set. Connacht, with greater expectations than before, head into a new season with a single ambition - to qualify for the European Champions Cup through the Guinness Pro 12.

Ireland's Junior World Championship winger, Galwegians Ciaran Gaffney, outhalf Conor McKeon, and centre Peter Robb are among the new quintet, along with hooker Jack Dineen and backrow Marc Kelly.

Eight new players, including the province’s biggest addition Mils Muliaina, signals Pat Lam’s first full squad selection since taking over the reins from Eric Elwood.

Dubarry Park hosts a vital Ulster Bank League Division 1B encounter this Saturday afternoon when Buccaneers entertain Blackrock College.

Corinthians preserved their 100 per cent unbeaten record in this season’s Ulster Bank League division 1B by the skin of their teeth at Cloonacauneen on Friday evening.

Buccaneers travel to the Co Down foothills on Saturday where they square up to long-time league leaders Ballynahinch in the Ulster Bank League with this division 1B clash kicking off at Ballymacarn Park at 2.30pm. Buccs lost their opening day fixture against the northerners who, spurred on by the tragic deaths of Nevin Spence, his father Noel and brother Graham, played with passion and zeal to defeat the Pirates in a decent contest that really could have gone either way. Since then, Hinch have been on a mission to achieve promotion and are very much in the driving seat, nine points ahead of their nearest rivals UCD with just four rounds of matches remaining. Barring a calamity, they look certainties to go up at this stage.

Top of the bill this weekend for Buccaneers supporters is the Saturday night Ulster Bank League division 1B clash at home to Dungannon. This floodlit game kicks off in Dubarry Park, Athlone at 7pm.

Connacht Rugby has bolstered its squad for next season by signing exciting centre Danie Poolman from the Stormers. With the Heineken Cup returning to the Sportsground next season Eric Elwood continues to build and develop the team and has signed the 23-year-old on a three year deal.