Connacht v Ulster: Teams
Connacht will be looking to complete a domestic sweep on home soil when they host Irish rivals Ulster on Friday.
Last Updated: 07/05/09 2:17pm
Connacht will be looking to complete a domestic sweep on home soil when they host Irish rivals Ulster on Friday night.
Michael Bradley's squad have beaten both Munster and Leinster at The Sportsground this season, though they are still stuck at the bottom of the table.
There are three changes in their starting XV from the team that were beaten 27-14 by Newport-Gwent Dragons last time out.
Mel Deane is called up in the backs, Troy Nathan starts at full-back while captain John Muldoon returns in the forwards.
"We're looking forward to the match on the basis that we've a unique opportunity to have home victories over the three other irish provinces in the one season, a feat that Connacht rugby have not achieved in the professional era so far", head coach Bradley said.
However, he is also well aware of Ulster's talents having lost the reverse fixture at Ravenhill earlier this season.
Performance
"Earlier in the year when we played Ulster in Ravenhill we went up to the match with a lot of confidence due to our performances to date in the season but due to the quality of the performance of Ulster and in particular their ability to take their chances when presented, they won the match," he added.
"They got two tries directly from short lineouts and three tries immediately from Connacht turnovers. Ulster showed in that game that they can be very clinical and we must be wary of this fact when we play them on Friday night."
Ulster boss Matt Williams saw his side score 40 points in the last meeting with Connacht in the Magners League.
However, he insists the visitors will be taking nothing for granted as they bid to finish the campaign on a high, starting with a win over their Irish rivals.
"We have a lot of respect for Connacht, they are a good side and play a hard game of rugby, but we are more determined than ever and we are going out to win," he said.
"We are on track for a mid-table finish to the season, and will be after maximum points from our last two fixtures to secure this."
Connacht: 15 Troy Nathan, 14 Fionn Carr, 13 Gavin Duffy, 12 Keith Matthews, 11 Liam Bibo, 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Frank Murphy, 8 John Muldoon (capt), 7 Ray Ofisa, 6 Andrew Browne, 5 Andrew Farley, 4 Michael Swift, 3 Ray Loughney, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 Brett Wilkinson.
Replacements: 16 Adrian Flavin, 17 Brian McGovern, 18 David Gannon, 19 Colm Rigney, 20 Conor O'Loughlin, 21 Andy Dunne, 22 Mel Deane.
Ulster: 15 Clinton Schifcofske, 14 Timoci Nagusa, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Ian Whitten, 11 Simon Danielli, 10 Niall O'Connor, 9 Paul Marshall, 8 Robbie Diack, 7 Chris Henry, 6 Stephen Ferris, 5 Ryan Caldwell, 4 Ed O'Donoghue, 3 Tom Court, 2 Rory Best (capt), 1 BJ Botha.
Replacements: 16 Nigel Brady, 17 Bryan Young, 18 Carlo Del Fava, 19 Matt McCullough, 20 Isaac Boss, 21 Ian Humphreys, 22 Rob Dewey.