Celtic League: Connacht Expect in Dragons’ Lair

Connacht’s Celtic Cup and probable Heineken Cup hopes hinge on their league tie against the Dragons. But the westerners’ eyes and ears will first be glued to television sets on Friday.

CELTIC LEAGUE: Week 22: Saturday, April 16
Newport-Gwent Dragons v Connacht, Rodney Parade, 5.30pm (live Setanta Sports Ireland / S4C)

Michael Bradley’s side – currently ninth, three points behind Ulster and one ahead of Welsh challengers Cardiff – are likely to need a bonus point win to have a chance of qualifying for both Cup competitions.

Cardiff look certain to win at bottom side the Borders on Friday, with Ulster – defending a five-game unbeaten run at Ravenhill – eyeing up a final fling against the Scarlets.

Bradley – who committed himself to two further seasons with the province last week – said: “Whatever Cardiff do, we have to match it. If they win with four tries, then we’ll have to get five points, and so on.

“It’s a huge challenge for us but certainly we are in the better position. We have control over our own destiny.”

With a Challenge Cup semi-final second leg trip to Sale to come on Sunday week, pipping Cardiff for the Heineken Cup qualification play-off spot will come as an ideal boost.

Connacht announced a 24-man squad for the trip across the Irish sea on Wednesday, with John Fogarty (back) and Brendan O’Connor (Achilles) struggling to find their fitness.

Dan McFarland, Darren Yapp and Mark McHugh are also trying to ship injuries, with Bradley due to finalise his squad on Saturday.

The westerners will definitely be without talented flanker John Muldoon, who is to miss the remainder of the season after injurying his thumb.

Head-to-head since 2003: Dragons 2, Connacht 1
League form: Dragons: WWLLL; Connacht: WLWLL
Top scorers: Dragons: Ceri Sweeney 107 points / Kevin Morgan 10 tries; Connacht: Paul Warwick 108 / Matt Lacey 6

Dragons: Kevin Morgan; Gareth Wyatt, Percy Montgomery, Jonathan Bryant, Ben Breeze; Ceri Sweeney, Gareth Baber; Rod Snow, Steve Jones, Chris Anthony, Ian Gough, Luke Charteris, Jamie Ringer, Jason Forster (Capt), Michael Owen.

Replacements: tbc

CONNACHT Squad:

Forwards: Peter Bracken, Adrian Clarke, Michael Carroll, Andrew Farley (Capt), John Fogarty, Ray Hogan, Bernard Jackman, Stephen Knoop, Matt Lacey, Paul Neville, Brendan O’Connor, John O’Sullivan, Christian Short, Michael Swift.

Backs: James Downey, Eric Elwood, Chris Keane, Mark McHugh, Conor McPhillips, Matt Mostyn, David Slemen, Michael Walls, Paul Warwick, Darren Yapp.

Referee: Alan Williamson (Scotland)