McSharry Returns To Connacht Team

Connacht head coach Eric Elwood has selected his team to take on the Cardiff Blues at the Arms Park on Friday night (kick-off 7.30pm).

With the return to action following a welcome two-week break, the Connacht management are still hampered by the non-availability of a number of players.

Andrew Browne (Achilles), Eoin Griffin (hamstring), Johnny O’Connor (facial fracture), Rodney Ah You (foot) and Frank Murphy (groin) are still not in contention, though some of them hope to be available for selection next week.

This will not worry head coach Eric Elwood, however, as there is only one change to the starting line-up for the trip to the Welsh capital.

David McSharry, who missed the historic Heineken Cup pool win over Harlequins, has recovered from a shoulder injury to start at inside centre. Henry Fa’afili is the players to make way.

The westerners will field a hugely experienced pack backed up by a youthful and dynamic back-line marshalled by full-back and captain Gavin Duffy.

CONNACHT (v Cardiff Blues): Gavin Duffy (capt); Fetu’u Vainikolo, Kyle Tonetti, David McSharry, Tiernan O’Halloran; Niall O’Connor, Paul O’Donohoe; Brett Wilkinson, Adrian Flavin, Ronan Loughney, Michael Swift, Mike McCarthy, John Muldoon, Ray Ofisa, George Naoupu.

Replacements: Ethienne Reynecke, Denis Buckley, Stewart Maguire, David Gannon, Michael Kearney, David Moore, Matthew Jarvis, Henry Fa’afili.