Hagan Set For First Connacht Start
Connacht have made three changes – all of them injury enforced – for their Magners League clash with Edinburgh at Murrayfield on Friday evening (kick-off 7.30pm).
Centre Niva Ta’auso (hand) and props Brett Wilkinson (finger) and Robbie Morris (back) have been ruled out of Connacht’s second Magners League game.
Into their places from the side which picked up a losing bonus point against the Ospreys last week come Troy Nathan, Jamie Hagan and Ronan Loughney.
Speaking to the Galway Advertiser ahead of the game, Connacht captain John Muldoon knows another strong defensive effort will be needed if his side are to get a result at Murrayfield.
“We didn’t get as much go forward from the pack as we would have liked against the Ospreys,” he said.
“I think defence has been one of our strong points for the last few games.
“We were down to 13 men when the Ospreys scored and they taught us a lesson how ruthless you can be when people are down a man – they didn’t really get close to breaking our line bar that.
“Edinburgh had an excellent win against Cardiff and obviously their new coach (Rob Moffat) has introduced a different type of game plan.
“Traditionally Edinburgh liked to move the ball around, but they have added more direction to their game and they look really strong.”
CONNACHT (v Ospreys): Gavin Duffy; Brian Tuohy, Troy Nathan, Keith Matthews, Fionn Carr; Ian Keatley, Frank Murphy; Ronan Loughney, Sean Cronin, Jamie Hagan, Andrew Browne, Bernie Upton, John Muldoon (capt), Ray Ofisa, Mike McComish.
Replacements: Adrian Flavin, Conor Higgins, Mike McCarthy, Johnny O’Connor, Miah Nikora, Conor O’Loughlin, Aidan Wynne.