Three Changes For Connacht
Connacht coach Michael Bradley has made three changes to his starting line-up ahead of Friday’s Magners League clash with Edinburgh at Murrayfield (kick-off 7.30pm).
Both John Lyne and Andrew Browne are set to make their first competitive starts for the province. Lyne, who has recovered from his calf injury which left him sidelined for the majority of the season, performed well in last week’s ‘A’ match against Ulster and is playing for the first time for Connacht since appearing against Harlequins in pre-season.
Browne, who has been pivotal in helping Galwegians reach the semi final of the AIB Cup, last played for Connacht against Munster in December and is partnering captain Andrew Farley in the second row for the first time since September.
In the backs, Tim Donnelly starts at out-half with the rest of the back-line remaining unchanged since Connacht’s last game against Leinster three weeks ago.
Connemara out-half Troy Nathan is also included among the replacements for the first time, having trained with the squad since November.
The following players were not considered due to injury: John Hearty (hip), Ray Ofisa (arm), Michael Swift (kidney) and Ofisa Treviranus (leg).
CONNACHT (v Edinburgh): Gavin Duffy; Keith Matthews, Matt Mostyn, Mel Deane, Aidan Wynne; Tim Donnelly, Conor O’Loughlin; John Lyne, Adrian Flavin, Robbie Morris, Andrew Browne, Andrew Farley (capt), John Muldoon, Johnny O’Connor, Colm Rigney.
Replacements: Joey Merrigan, Brett Wilkinson, Ronan Loughney, David Gannon, Michael McCarthy, Conor McPhillips, Troy Nathan.