Gavin Thornbury confident Connacht can prove doubters wrong in BKT United Rugby Championship

Gavin Thornbury captains Connacht for the first time in Saturday's season opener against Ulster and the talented lock is determined to put his injury problems behind him and rights the wrongs of the last campaign.

While most Connacht fans were glad to see the back of last season, for Thornbury it was lousy timing. He had returned in April following 11 months out after a series of setbacks with a shoulder injury, but within five games the season had reached its conclusion.

However, with a positive pre-season under his belt, Thornbury is ready to make up for lost time.

"It was nice to get a full pre-season in," he told RTÉ Sport. "Obviously last year didn't go to plan and it was quite tough personally. Just to be out on the pitch and training every day, it’s very good.

"I’m so excited to get ripped into [the new season]. The squad is in a really good place, pre-season has been really good. You just really want to get started.

"It’s been a long couple of months. It was productive and I really enjoyed it, but it’s time to get the season going now."

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Connacht director of rugby Andy Friend backed Conor Fitzgerald and David Hawkshaw to step in at out-half against Ulster after captain Jack Carty was ruled out due to injury

Connacht strengthened during the close season, with Thornbury’s former Ireland U20 team-mates Peter Dooley and Adam Byrne moving west from Leinster along with David Hawkshaw and Josh Murphy.

Thornbury and Murphy were in opposing second rows when the former made his