Three Changes For Connacht
Connacht head coach Eric Elwood has selected his starting line-up to take on Glasgow Warriors in the final round of the RaboDirect PRO12 at Firhill Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 7.30pm).
There are three changes in personnel and one positional switch to the side that beat Aironi at the Sportsground two weeks ago as head coach Eric Elwood has chosen not to tinker with the winning formula too much.
In the pack hooker Adrian Flavin replaces Ethienne Reynecke in the front row and the departing Ray Ofisa moves to the replacements bench, making way for openside flanker Johnny O’Connor.
In the back-line, rising star Eoin Griffin’s return to outside centre means Kyle Tonetti moves to the right wing, while speedster James Loxton is promoted to the bench.
Connacht are chasing their best ever league finish of eighth and a win over play-off contenders Glasgow will secure that historic result for the province.
Glasgow have a lot to play for though in their last match at Firhill and Connacht’s talismanic back rower John Muldoon is under no illusions about the scale of the challenge that lies ahead:
“Glasgow are riding high in the league at the moment, their coach is leaving, they’re leaving Firhill and they are also gunning for a top four position so we know the pressure’s on them,” he said.
“They’ll be coming out all guns blazing but at the same time we’re looking to cause an upset and finish a record eighth, that would be a very good return for us this season.”
He added: “We’re really looking to finish on a high and saying goodbye to some great servants of the province, that goes for everyone, from fellas like Henry (Fa’afili), who has been here for just a year, to the likes of Ray (Ofisa) who has been here for over six years.
“We’d like to give them the send-off they deserve and on top of that wish (CEO) Gerry Kelly the best of luck in his retirement as well, so we’re really looking to a big performance on Saturday.”
CONNACHT (v Glasgow Warriors): Gavin Duffy (capt); Kyle Tonetti, Eoin Griffin, Henry Fa’afili, Tiernan O’Halloran; Miah Nikora, Frank Murphy; Denis Buckley, Adrian Flavin, Ronan Loughney, Michael Swift, Mike McCarthy, John Muldoon, Johnny O’Connor, George Naoupu.
Replacements: Dermot Murphy, Stewart Maguire, Rodney Ah You, Michael Kearney, Ray Ofisa, Paul O’Donohoe, Matthew Jarvis, James Loxton.