The Irish provincial side are bringing a festival of rugby to Galway with a series of friendlies which are due to take place this August, including the first ever meeting with an Australian Super 14 side.

The series of games kicks off on Saturday 9th August against Leeds before facing old rivals Harlequins a week later. The following week Connacht then face London Welsh on Friday 22nd August before concluding their pre-season fixtures against the Queensland on Tuesday 26th August.

The Reds will have a new dimension to their play having used the Experimental Law Variations in Super 14 this season.

Farley said: "It's exciting. It's been seven years since I played for Queensland so there are a lot of fresh young faces in that side since I was there and they've a lot of talent.

"They're starting to play a brand new style of rugby now and it'll be a good experience for our guys to play a southern hemisphere side at the Sportsground.

“What is also worth noting is that the Reds will have played with the new ELVs for the previous season and it'll be good for us to play against a side who've already adapted to that style of play."