This round 6 encounter brings together the GUINNESS PRO12’s current top scorers, Connacht, and the side with the second best defence so far – Edinburgh. Pat Lam’s men will be looking to provide some fireworks of their own in what could be a Halloween humdinger.
GUINNESS PRO12: Saturday, October 31
CONNACHT (2nd) v EDINBURGH (4th), the Sportsground, 6.45pm (live Galway Bay FM)
Team News: Connacht head coach Pat Lam has named his side to play Edinburgh at the Sportsground in the GUINNESS PRO12 on Saturday. Following last weekend’s win over the Ospreys, there are three changes to the starting line-up.
The westerners’ back-line remains unchanged, while Tom McCartney, Andrew Browne and captain John Muldoon all return to the pack.
Returning Ireland international Nathan White is named on the bench for what could be his first PRO12 appearance since the Rugby World Cup campaign.
Commenting on the team selection and the visit of the Scottish outfit, Lam said: “While we’re happy with where we’re at so far, we know it’s only going to get tougher, and this week the focus has been all about what we need to do next.
“We are under no illusions about the physical battle we face on Saturday and with that in mind, it’s great to be able to bring in the experience of guys like Tom, John and Andrew.
Obviously Nathan returning is a big boost for us and we’re pleased to have him involved this week. After a busy few games in the World Cup, Robbie (Henshaw) is not far off and we should see him next week against Treviso.
“We’re really looking forward to playing at home again on Saturday night and protecting our home record is number one on the agenda.”
Wear your Halloween costumes to the Connacht v Edinburgh game at the Sportsground this Halloween night. Mascot ‘Eddie the Eagle’ will be on hand to judge the best costume and the winner, announced at half-time, will receive a Connacht Rugby jersey of their choice and a trick-or-treat goody pack.
Get your tickets for the Connacht v Edinburgh PRO12 match here.
Meanwhile, following last weekend’s disappointing 19-11 defeat away to Zebre, there are seven changes to the Edinburgh side that will take on Connacht in Galway.
Eighteen-year-old Blair Kinghorn, who made his professional debut last Saturday off the bench in Parma, starts at full-back with Damien Hoyland and Will Helu switching wings to take the 14 and 11 shirts respectively.
Chris Dean returns from injury at outside centre where he is partnered by Sam Beard who comes back into the mix at number 12, Phil Burleigh retains his starting spot at out-half with Sam Hidalgo-Clyne moving up from the bench to join him at half-back.
In the pack, the front row of Rory Sutherland, Neil Cochrane and John Andress remains in place with Anton Bresler and Fraser McKenzie retained at lock. Captain Mike Coman leads the team from blindside flanker, Roddy Grant returns at openside and Nasi Manu keeps his number 8 berth from last week.
The Scottish capital club will be looking for a repeat of their 16-13 away win over Connacht from last January. A David Denton try and 11 points from the boot of Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, in challenging conditions, came on the back of Edinburgh’s 1872 Cup victory.
With the exception of Hidalgo-Clyne and Helu, who returned to the squad following Tonga’s exit at the pool stages, Edinburgh are still without the services of their Rugby World Cup players.
CONNACHT: Tiernan O’Halloran; Darragh Leader, Bundee Aki, Craig Ronaldson, Matt Healy; Jack Carty, Kieran Marmion; Denis Buckley, Tom McCartney, Rodney Ah You, Aly Muldowney, Andrew Browne, John Muldoon (capt), Nepia Fox-Matamua, Eoghan Masterson.
Replacements: Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Nathan White, Quinn Roux, Eoin McKeon, Ian Porter, Rory Parata, Niyi Adeolokun.
EDINBURGH: Blair Kinghorn; Damien Hoyland, Chris Dean, Sam Beard, Will Helu; Phil Burleigh, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne; Rory Sutherland, Neil Cochrane, John Andress, Anton Bresler, Fraser McKenzie, Mike Coman (capt), Roddy Grant, Nasi Manu.
Replacements: George Turner, Allan Dell, Simon Berghan, Alex Toolis, Cornell du Preez, Sean Kennedy, Dougie Fife, Nick McLennan.
Referee: Leighton Hodges (Wales)
Assistant Referees: Mark Patton, Stuart Douglas (both Ireland)
Match Odds (Paddy Power): Connacht to win: 2/5; Draw: 19/1; Edinburgh to win: 21/10
Pre-Match Quotes: Aly Muldowney (Connacht) – “We know what’s coming at us. Edinburgh are a physical side that play a very direct game. They’ve had a pretty good start to the season and they’ll be hurting after their first loss last weekend to Zebre.
“They’ll probably have had a few honest meetings and training sessions this week, and they’ll be looking at us as an opportunity to get back on track.
“The biggest thing for us is that we’re at home. We have our vocal support behind us and we’re determined not to lose any games at home this season. Despite the opposition and whether they’ve got players back or not, we know the team, whoever they are, is there to be beaten and that’s what we want to do on Saturday.”
Alan Solomons (Edinburgh) – “We dropped off too much after (the win over) Ulster. We gave away too many penalties and this week’s challenge will be much tougher.
“We have nine frontline players out. The cavalry will be back next week, however we have a number of players on the injured list with Stuart McInally and Ben Toolis, for example, missing longer term.
“The team need to perform strongly to put right last week’s performance as Zebre was a game we should have won.”
Top Scorers – 2015/16 GUINNESS PRO12: Connacht – Points: Jack Carty 43; Tries: Nepia Fox-Matamua, Danie Poolman 3 each; Edinburgh – Points: Greig Tonks 31; Tries: Damien Hoyland 3
RECENT LEAGUE MEETINGS:
Saturday, December 1, 2012 – Connacht 23 Edinburgh 24, the Sportsground
Friday, April 12, 2013 – Edinburgh 24 Connacht 32, Murrayfield
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
MATCH FACTS:
– Connacht lie in second place in the GUINNESS PRO12 table, which is their best position after a round of games since they topped the pile following the opening round of fixtures in the 2010/11 season
– Connacht’s only reversal so far this season was 33-32 at Glasgow Warriors in round 2
– Edinburgh’s perfect start to the new PRO12 campaign ended with their trip to Zebre last Saturday
– The Scotsmen have won both of their fixtures played against Irish provinces this season, beating Leinster in round 1 and Ulster in round 4
– Each side won its respective away game when the two teams met in the PRO12 last season, with Edinburgh winning on two of their last three visits to the Sportsground
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