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Connacht Make Four Changes

Connacht Make Four Changes

The Connacht team and replacements to play Ulster in the provinces’ final Magners League game of the season at Ravenhill on Friday (kick-off 7.30pm) has been named.

The selected Connacht team shows four changes from the side which played Toulon in last weekend’s Amlin Challenge Cup semi-final.

Brian Tuohy takes over on the right wing, Ronan Loughney starts at loosehead prop, Bernie Upton returns in the second row and Mike McComish will start at openside flanker.

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Connacht lost 30-6 to Ulster when the sides met at the Sportsground in September, with out-half Ian Keatley kicking two penalties for the hosts.

Connacht’s most recent trip to Ravenhill – back in November 2008 – resulted in a 53-13 defeat. They are chasing their first win in Belfast since November 1960.

Looking forward to the final game of his seven-year career with the westerners, head coach Michael Bradley said: “Ulster played very well when they came to the Sportsground back in September. They took their chances and we will be looking to put the record straight and finish our season on a high.

“We still see Ulster as a yardstick to measure our season against, even though there’s nothing to play for in terms of qualifying for the Heineken Cup.

“Our focus remains at improving our away form and getting a result at Ravenhill.”

Connacht have slipped to 17 straight defeats away from home in the Magners League since beating the Newport Gwent Dragons 13-11 at Rodney Parade in April 2008, but they are more than capable of turning over Brian McLaughlin’s side on their day.

CONNACHT (v Ulster): Gavin Duffy; Brian Tuohy, Niva Ta’auso, Aidan Wynne, Fionn Carr; Ian Keatley, Frank Murphy; Ronan Loughney, Sean Cronin, Jamie Hagan, Mike McCarthy, Bernie Upton, John Muldoon (capt), Mike McComish, George Naoupu.

Replacements: Adrian Flavin, Robbie Morris, Andrew Browne, Johnny O’Connor, Conor O’Loughlin, Miah Nikora, Troy Nathan.