Connacht coach Michael Bradley says that promising young out-half Ian Keatley could be poised for a great season after a superb debut on Saturday in a friendly against Harlequins.

The former U-20 Grand Slam winner kicked two penalties, a conversion and landed a drop goal as Connacht came from behind to notch an encouraging win.

Keatley and scrum-half Frank Murphy, another summer signing, bossed the show.

"The new guys coming in have to put pressure on the guys in the slots. Liam Bibo has put two solid performances together which is good to see. Frank Murphy and Sean Cronin came in and put in good performances," said Bradley.

He said that the increased competition for places was vital and he was particularly pleased with the way Keatley played.

"He was on the U-20 Grand Slam winning team and has made appearances in the Churchill Cup in the past two years and it is important he gets game time.

"He's a very confident young man and he's put himself in a position where he's certainly competing for the number ten jersey," added Bradley.

Connacht trailed 8-3 at the break on Saturday evening after Harlequins crossed for a try from full-back Tom Williams and a penalty from out-half Nick Evans.

A break by Murphy led to the opening Connacht try from Keith Matthews after 56 minutes before new captain John Muldoon sealed the win in the closing stages with a try off a maul.

Connacht will continue their pre-season campaign on Friday evening when they entertain London Welsh at the Sportsground (6.30pm) while a big crowd is anticipated for the visit of Queensland Reds next Tuesday evening (7.30pm) for Connacht final game before the start of the Magners League against the Ospreys on September 5th.

Connacht: G Duffy; L Bibo, M Deane, K Matthews, J Hearty; I Keatley, F Murphy; B Wilkinson, S Cronin, R Morris; M Swift, A Farley; J Muldoon, J O'Connor, C Rigney.

Replacements: M McCarthy for Swift, 63 mins; A Browne for Rigney, 70mins; A Dunne for Keatley, 75 mins; T Nathan for Matthews, 75 mins; A Wynne for Deane, 75 mins; C Muldoon, A Flavin, R Loughney, J Lyne, B McGovern, K Campbell,

Harlequins: T Williams; C Amesbury, D W Barry, J Turner-Hall, S Stegman; N Evans, D Care; C Jones, T Fuga, J Brooks; J Percival, J Evans; P Davies, N McMillan, C York.

Replacements: O Kohn for Percival, half time; S O'Connor for Evans, half time; A Croall for Brooks, half time; M Lambert for Jones, half time; G Robson, G Williams for Turner-Hall, 57 mins; G Lowe for Care, 57 mins; S Smith for Evans, 70 mins; T Sargeant for McMillan, 78 mins.

Referee: J Lacey.

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