Connacht will look to end what has been a frustrating opening month with their first GUINNESS PRO12 points when they entertain Edinburgh at the Sportsground tonight.
GUINNESS PRO12: Friday, September 30
CONNACHT (12th) v EDINBURGH (9th), the Sportsground, 7.35pm (live TG4)
Team News: Connacht head coach Pat Lam has made two changes to the starting team ahead of Friday’s GUINNESS PRO12 round 5 game against Edinburgh at the Sportsground.
Peter Robb returns to the starting line-up to partner Bundee Aki in midfield, as part of an otherwise unchanged back-line.
In the pack, 25-year-old Conor Carey makes his Connacht debut at tighthead prop, combining with Denis Buckley and hooker Tom McCartney.
Currently on the province’s injured/unavailable list are Dominic Robertson-McCoy, Ivan Soroka, Saba Meunargia, Ben Marshall, Andrew Browne, Nepia Fox-Matamua, Sean O’Brien, Eoghan Masterson, John Cooney, Craig Ronaldson, Marnitz Boshoff, Rory Parata, Eoin Griffin, Josh Rowland, Darragh Leader and Ciaran Gaffney.
Meanwhile, a quartet of Scotland internationals return to the fold for Edinburgh as they take on the defending PRO12 champions in Galway. They make the trip just a couple of days after Alan Solomons stepped down as head coach.
Forwards Ross Ford, WP Nel, Grant Gilchrist and John Hardie are among seven personnel changes from last week’s loss away to Munster, with try scorer Hardie promoted from the bench.
In the backs, scrum half Sean Kennedy will make his first start of the season and is partnered by out-half Jason Tovey, who returns to play after missing out on the opening games of the season with a wrist injury.
The final change to the starting side is in the midfield where Chris Dean, who scored his second try for the club against Munster, switches to outside centre to accommodate the incoming Solomoni Rasolea, prompting a move to wing for Michael Allen.
Glenn Bryce makes his fifth consecutive start at full-back, with Damien Hoyland and Allen on the wings. Rory Sutherland continues at loosehead prop alongside Ford and Nel, while Ben Toolis partners Gilchrist in the engine room.
Last week’s man-of-the-match, Magnus Bradbury, packs down at blindside flanker alongside back row colleagues Hardie and Cornell du Preez, while Sasa Tofilau is included on the bench after missing out on the round 4 trip to Limerick.
CONNACHT: Tiernan O’Halloran; Niyi Adeolokun, Bundee Aki, Peter Robb, Matt Healy; Jack Carty, Kieran Marmion; Denis Buckley, Tom McCartney, Conor Carey, Quinn Roux, Ultan Dillane, Eoin McKeon, Jake Heenan, John Muldoon (capt).
Replacements: Dave Heffernan, Ronan Loughney, Finlay Bealham, Lewis Stevenson, James Connolly, Caolin Blade, Shane O’Leary, Cian Kelleher.
EDINBURGH: Glenn Bryce; Damien Hoyland, Chris Dean, Solomoni Rasolea, Michael Allen; Jason Tovey, Sean Kennedy; Rory Sutherland, Ross Ford, WP Nel, Ben Toolis, Grant Gilchrist (capt), Magnus Bradbury, John Hardie, Cornell du Preez.
Replacements: Stuart McInally, Jack Cosgrove, Allan Dell, Lewis Carmichael, Hamish Watson, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Sasa Tofilau, Blair Kinghorn.
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant Referees: Simon Rees (Wales), John Carvill (Ireland)
Television Match Official: Jon Mason (Wales)
Match Odds (Paddy Power): Connacht to win: 8/15; Draw: 19/1; Edinburgh to win: 17/10
Pre-Match Quotes: Pat Lam (Connacht) – “We’re back at the Sportsground on Friday night and really looking forward to the challenge.
“We are under no illusions as to the threat that Edinburgh pose, and the physicality they will bring to the contest. We are determined to continue improving in our game as we look to earn the points that are available.”
Duncan Hodge (Edinburgh) – “It’s been a challenging week for all involved but we’ve got a massive game we need to win on Friday night. In the short-term our focus has got to be on this match.
“We’ve got some fresh faces coming in from last week who will lift the team and give us a fresh energy for the game. Connacht have talismanic players among them and they’re always a tough team to play, especially at home.
“They’ll be physical, but we know what to expect. We have prepared well this week and can’t wait to embrace the challenge, start to change our performances and get results for the club.”
Top Scorers – 2016/17 GUINNESS PRO12: Connacht – Points: Niyi Adeolokun 10; Tries: Niyi Adeolokun 2; Edinburgh – Points: Duncan Weir 28; Tries: Magnus Bradbury, Michael Allen 2 each
2016/17 TEAM FORM: Connacht – Played 3, Lost 3, 0 Points; L 41-5 v Glasgow Warriors (home), L 32-11 v Ospreys (home), L 17-8 v Scarlets (away); Edinburgh – Played 4, Won 1, Lost 3, 4 Points; L 34-16 v Cardiff Blues (away), W 20-9 v Scarlets (home), L 33-20 v Leinster (home), L 28-14 v Munster (away)
RECENT LEAGUE MEETINGS:
Friday, November 29, 2013 – Edinburgh 43 Connacht 10, Murrayfield
Saturday, February 15, 2014 – Connacht 11 Edinburgh 7, the Sportsground
Friday, September 12, 2014 – Edinburgh 13 Connacht 14, BT Murrayfield
Friday, January 9, 2015 – Connacht 13 Edinburgh 16, the Sportsground
Saturday, October 31, 2015 – Connacht 14 Edinburgh 9, the Sportsground
Friday, March 4, 2016 – Edinburgh 23 Connacht 28, BT Murrayfield
MATCH FACTS:
– Connacht are still searching for their first league point of the new GUINNESS PRO12 season and have lost both of their encounters at the Sportsground in Galway so far this campaign
– Edinburgh’s only victory in their last seven PRO12 matches was 20-9 at home to the Scarlets in round 2
– Edinburgh’s only away success in any competition since early January was by a single point on a trip to the Newport Gwent Dragons in March
– Connacht achieved a season’s double over Edinburgh for the first time last year, although the Scotsmen have won on two of their last four visits to Galway
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