Connacht will put a proud record on the line when they take on the Ospreys in the opening game of the Magners League at the Sportsground on Friday evening (6.30pm).

ALL SET . . . Connacht captain John Muldoon with, clockwise, Simon Best (Ulster), Denis Leamy (Munster), Leo Cullen (Leinster), Rhys Williams (Cardiff Blues), Tom Willis (Newport Gwent Dragons), Simon Easterby (Llanelli Scarlets), Lee Byrne (Ospreys), Mike Blair (Edinburgh) and Alistair Kellock (Glasgow) at the launch of the new Magners League in the RDS last week. Photo: Matt Browne/SPORTSFILE

Connacht have won their opening game every year since the competition started in 2001 and will bid to maintain that sequence against an Ospreys side who have lifted the title twice in the past four seasons.

And it promises to be a proud occasion for Portumna's John Muldoon who will not alone lead the side out in a competitive match for the first time but in the process will earn his 100th cap for the province.

Muldoon has been the perfect example of developing homegrown talent within the province and his elevation to captain is further testimony to the work taking place throughout Connacht.

The influential backrower is a leader by example and will be hoping for a winning start on Friday evening.

"Pre-season has gone well but it is now a matter of taking that form into competitive action, starting with the Ospreys.

"It will be a long season but we will concentrate on each game as it comes up and bid to build on each one," said Muldoon.

Connacht, who will be without winger Mike Roberts who sustained a calf injury against Queensland, have strengthened their squad during the summer with emerging Irish talent such as full-back Fionn Carr, fly-half Ian Keatley and hooker Sean Cronin giving new options to coach Michael Bradley.

Connacht have also signed two experienced scrum-halves in Kieran Campbell and Frank Murphy while ex-Wasps and Glasgow winger Roberts has also impressed.

"The new players are putting pressure on the others and that is good as you need competition for places," said coach Bradley.

"We have had a good pre-season and learned a lot from the four games we played," he said.

Connacht will follow up their opening game with a final trip to Stradey Park the following week before entertaing Glasgow at th Sportsground on Friday week.

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