With just two points separating the two sides at the top of the GUINNESS PRO12, it is all to play for in Galway as Connacht and defending champions Glasgow Warriors both look to nail down a home semi-final.
GUINNESS PRO12: Saturday, May 7
CONNACHT (2nd) v GLASGOW WARRIORS (1st), the Sportsground, 3pm (live TG4/BBC Sport Scotland)
Team News: Connacht duo Tiernan O’Halloran and Kieran Marmion will win their 100th provincial caps when they run out at the Sportsground for round 22 of the GUINNESS PRO12 against Glasgow Warriors.
Marmion is one of nine personnel changes made by head coach Pat Lam for the sold-out clash that will decide a home play-off spot.
Bundee Aki and Matt Healy have returned from injury to take their places in a back-line that also sees the re-introduction of internationals Robbie Henshaw at outside centre and AJ MacGinty at out-half.
The league’s most-capped player, John Muldoon, returns to captain the side at number 8 behind a second row partnership of Ultan Dillane and Aly Muldowney. Finlay Bealham, the only player to have featured in all of the westerners’ 28 games so far this season, is named to start at tighthead prop.
Meanwhile, Glasgow Warriors will field a new back-three with Stuart Hogg returning at full-back in place of Glenn Bryce, Tommy Seymour coming in for Taqele Naiayravoro and Lee Jones replacing Sean Lamont.
Alex Dunbar moves from inside to outside centre and will form a midfield partnership with Peter Horne, who comes in for Mark Bennett. Finn Russell replaces Duncan Weir at out-half, with Ali Price starting at scrum half and Grayson Hart named on the bench.
Gordon Reid, Fraser Brown and Sila Puafisi come into the front row in place of Jerry Yanuyanutawa, Pat MacArthur and D’arcy Rae respectively.
Following his hat-trick in the 70-10 win over Zebre last Friday, Leone Nakarawa continues in the second row and captain Jonny Gary returns to the engine room, with Greg Peterson not involved this weekend.
Rob Harley keeps his place at blindside flanker, with Ryan Wilson replacing Simone Favaro at openside and Josh Strauss returning to the side in place of Adam Ashe at number 8.
CONNACHT: Tiernan O’Halloran; Niyi Adeolokun, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Matt Healy; AJ MacGinty, Kieran Marmion; Ronan Loughney, Tom McCartney, Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, Aly Muldowney, Sean O’Brien, Jake Heenan, John Muldoon (capt).
Replacements: Dave Heffernan, JP Cooney, Rodney Ah You, Quinn Roux, Eoin McKeon, John Cooney, Shane O’Leary, Peter Robb.
GLASGOW WARRIORS: Stuart Hogg; Tommy Seymour, Alex Dunbar, Peter Horne, Lee Jones; Finn Russell, Ali Price; Gordon Reid, Fraser Brown, Sila Puafisi, Leone Nakarawa, Jonny Gray (capt), Rob Harley, Ryan Wilson, Josh Strauss.
Replacements: Pat MacArthur, Jerry Yanuyanutawa, Zander Fagerson, Tim Swinson, Simone Favaro, Grayson Hart, Mark Bennett, Sean Lamont.
Referee: Ian Davies (Wales)
Assistant Referees: Gary Conway, Kieran Barry (both Ireland)
Television Match Official: Olly Hodges (Ireland)
Match Odds (Paddy Power): Connacht to win: 7/5; Draw: 20/1; Glasgow Warriors to win: 8/13
Pre-Match Quotes: Pat Lam (Connacht) – “Going into play-off rugby, we couldn’t ask for a better challenge than playing the defending champions who are on fire at the moment. Glasgow are undefeated since February and they have threats all over the park.
“While there is so much at stake, we know it’s important for us is to stay focused on what has got us here in the first place. The key now is raising all our standards and team work to yet another level over the next few weeks.
“While we have our place in the play-offs secure, we all know what it would mean to the team and the province if we can bring a semi-final to the Sportsground for the first time.
“Both sides have an attacking mindset so it should be an entertaining game for all rugby fans and especially those at the sold-out Sportsground. We are really looking forward to it.”
Gregor Townsend (Glasgow Warriors) – “We’re really looking forward to the game in Galway. Connacht play an expansive style of rugby and have a good home record, so we’ll have to produce an 80-minute performance if we’re to secure a home play-off.
“The players have worked extremely hard over the last few weeks and we have genuine competition for places throughout the squad.
“We are aware of the importance of this fixture and will be doing all we can to come back from Ireland with a win.”
Top Scorers – 2015/16 GUINNESS PRO12: Connacht – Points: Craig Ronaldson 89; Tries: Matt Healy 9; Glasgow Warriors – Points: Duncan Weir 108; Tries: Taqele Naiyaravoro 6
RECENT LEAGUE MEETINGS:
Friday, May 3, 2013 – Connacht 3 Glasgow Warriors 20, the Sportsground
Saturday, November 2, 2013 – Connacht 12 Glasgow Warriors 19, the Sportsground
Sunday, February 9, 2014 – Glasgow Warriors 8 Connacht 6, Scotstoun Stadium
Friday, September 26, 2014 – Glasgow Warriors 39 Connacht 21, Scotstoun Stadium
Saturday, April 25, 2015 – Connacht 13 Glasgow Warriors 31, the Sportsground
Friday, September 11, 2015 – Glasgow Warriors 33 Connacht 32, Scotstoun Stadium
MATCH FACTS:
– The winners of this match will guarantee a home play-off, the losers will have to wait on other results
– Connacht have lost three of their last four matches in all competitions, but the three defeats have all been away from home
– Connacht’s only defeat at the Sportsground this season in any tournament was to Ulster in the GUINNESS PRO12 on December 26
– Glasgow Warriors top the table for the first time this season following their biggest ever PRO12 victory at home to Zebre last weekend
– The Warriors have won their last nine league games since Ulster beat them in Belfast on February 12
– The Warriors have won their last eight fixtures with Connacht, with the westerners’ most recent victory in the series being 37-8 in Galway in February 2011
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