Connacht v Glasgow: Guinness PRO12 preview
Last Updated: 25/04/15 12:35pm
Connacht have made three changes in preparation for their Guinness PRO12 game against league leaders Glasgow at the Sportsgrounds.
Coach Pat Lam has brought in two new faces in the forwards and one in the backs as his side looks to bounce back from their 27-20 loss to Ulster two weeks ago.
Jack Carty comes into the side at fly-half in an otherwise unchanged backline for the home side as Robbie Henshaw and Bundee Aki continue their centre partnership while Kieran Marmion joins Carty in the half-backs.
In the forwards, academy lock Ultan Dillane has been given a chance to start, and joins Aly Muldowney in the second row.
No 8 Eoin McKeon re-joins the back row where he partners captain John Muldoon and Eoghan Masterson. Should replacement George Naoupu be used, he will make his 100th appearance for the region.
Connacht are currently in a qualifying place for next year's Champion's Cup, but are on equal points with Scarlets. With a tough fixture against a strong Glasgow outfit, Connacht will need to be in sharp form if they are to still be in contention when the regular season ends.
"You could say this is our toughest game of the season with who we are up against and what is on the line. We understand the massive importance of tomorrow but we have prepared like we would every game. It's up to us to go out and perform as a team.
"It's a huge challenge but we're really excited by it and the fact that we're at home makes it even more special. The Connacht support has been huge all year. They have carried us home in these big games before and with so much riding on the game, it's great to know that they'll be behind us again tomorrow."
The Glasgow team will be captained for the first time by Jonny Gray, who partners Leone Nakarawa in the second row.
In the backline Stuart Hogg is back in the team in the No 15 jersey after missing his side’s win over the Cardiff Blues two weeks ago. In the only other chance to the backs winger Nikola Matawalu features in place of the injured DTH van der Merwe.
In the forwards the back row has remained unchanged from the Blues encounter with Robert Harley, Chris Fusaro and Adam Ashe combining.
There are two changes to the front row with the returning Jerry Yanuyanutawa at loose-head, while Fraser Brown replaces Dougie Hall at hooker and Euan Murray features for Glasgow for the first time since January.
Connacht: 15 Tiernan O'Halloran, 14 Danie Poolman, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Matt Healy, 10 Jack Carty, 9 Kieran Marmion; 1 Denis Buckley, 2 Tom McCartney, 3 Rodney Ah You, 4 Ultan Dillane, 5 Aly Muldowney, 6 John Muldoon (c), 7 Eoghan Masterson, 8 Eoin McKeon.
Replacements: 16 Shane Delahunt, 17 Ronan Loughney, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Andrew Browne, 20 George Naoupu, 21 John Cooney, 22 Miah Nikora, 23 Darragh Leader.
Glasgow: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Tommy Seymour, 13 Richie Vernon, 12 Peter Horne, 11 Nikola Matawalu, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Henry Pyrgos; 1 Jerry Yanuyanutawa, 2 Fraser Brown, 3 Euan Murray, 4 Leone Nakarawa, 5 Jonny Gray (Captain), 6 Robert Harley, 7 Chris Fusaro, 8 Adam Ashe.
Replacements: 16 Kevin Bryce, 17 Ryan Grant, 18 Jon Welsh, 19 Tim Swinson, 20 Josh Strauss, 21 Duncan Weir, 22 Peter Murchie, 23 Lee Jones.
