URC and Premiership sides meet at Dubarry Park on Friday evening.
Birr native Peter Dooley is looking forward to lining up for his new province in familiar surroundings this week.
Connacht and Sale will meet at the home of Buccaneers rugby in Dubarry Park in Athlone this Friday at 7.
The Western province play in France on Wednesday evening, Castres Olympique provide the opposition.
That game is also slated for a 7pm (Irish time) kick off.
After making 104 appearances in total for Leinster, the 28 year old prop is heading west and is speaking glowingly of the inclusive atmosphere at Connacht.
Dooley begins his chat with David Hollywood by saying pre-season is going to plan: