Connacht, who have made the GUINNESS PRO12 play-offs for the first time, will be looking for a repeat of their round 22 win over reigning champions Glasgow Warriors when the two meet again at the Sportsground on Saturday.
GUINNESS PRO12 SEMI-FINAL: Saturday, May 21
CONNACHT (2nd) v GLASGOW WARRIORS (3rd), the Sportsground, 6.30pm (live Sky Sports 1 HD/TG4/BBC Alba/Scotland)
Team News: Galway man Eoin McKeon comes into the Connacht back row and is the only change to the side that played against the same opposition in round 22 a fortnight ago.
John Muldoon captains the side from the base of the scrum in what will be the Portumna man’s 274th game for the province.
The back-line remains unchanged with Bundee Aki, a try scorer from the last game, and Ireland international Robbie Henshaw retained in midfield. Niyi Adeolokun, Connacht’s Player of the Month for April, and the league’s top try scorer Matt Healy line out on the wings.
Andrew Browne is brought into the westerners’ matchday squad and joins Sean O’Brien among the replacement forwards.
Commenting on the province’s maiden league semi-final appearance, head coach Pat Lam said: “We are under no illusions when it comes to the challenge we face against the defending champions Glasgow who are stacked with players with plenty of experience of Test match and knockout rugby.
“We know they will be much stronger than they were two weeks ago but if we channel our physicality and the excitement into our game, we will be able to meet that challenge head on.
“It’s an exciting time for everyone involved in Connacht Rugby as we head into our first ever PRO12 semi-final. The reason we’ve had such a good record at home this season is the special atmosphere generated by our supporters and we’re all looking to give them another special day to remember in our last home game of the season.”
Meanwhile, centre Peter Horne will make his 100th appearance for Glasgow Warriors when they battle it out with Connacht for a place in next week’s PRO12 final at BT Murrayfield.
Following the 14-7 defeat to the same opponents almost a fortnight ago, Stuart Hogg retains his place at full-back and Tommy Seymour continues on the right wing. After signing a new deal with the club last week, Sean Lamont makes his 99th appearance on the opposite flank, with Lee Jones not involved this weekend.
Mark Bennett replaces the injured Alex Dunbar to make his 50th appearance for the club at outside centre, while Horne reaches his century of appearances in the number 12 shirt.
Finn Russell continues at out-half and forms a half-back partnership with Henry Pyrgos, who returns from injury and replaces Ali Price at scrum half.
In the pack Gordon Reid and Fraser Brown continue at loosehead prop and hooker respectively, with Scotland international prop Zander Fagerson replacing the suspended Sila Puafisi at tighthead. Leone Nakarawa and captain Jonny Gray continue in the Glasgow engine room.
In the back row Ryan Wilson moves from openside to blindside flanker in place of Rob Harley, with Simone Favaro coming into the starting line-up in the number 7 jersey and Josh Strauss continuing at number 8.
On the bench Ryan Grant returns from injury following a three-month spell on the sidelines, while D’arcy Rae, Adam Ashe, Duncan Weir and Taqele Naiyaravoro are also named in the matchday 23.
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, Eoin McKeon, Jake Heenan, John Muldoon (capt).
Replacements: Dave Heffernan, JP Cooney, Rodney Ah You, Andrew Browne, Sean O’Brien, John Cooney, Shane O’Leary, Peter Robb.
GLASGOW WARRIORS: Stuart Hogg; Tommy Seymour, Mark Bennett, Peter Horne, Sean Lamont; Finn Russell, Henry Pyrgos; Gordon Reid, Fraser Brown, Zander Fagerson, Leone Nakarawa, Jonny Gray (capt), Ryan Wilson, Simone Favaro, Josh Strauss.
Replacements: Pat MacArthur, Ryan Grant, D’arcy Rae, Tim Swinson, Adam Ashe, Grayson Hart, Duncan Weir, Taqele Naiyaravoro.
Referee: Marius Mitrea (Italy)
Assistant Referees: Nigel Owens (Wales), Stefano Penne (Italy)
Television Match Official: Carlo Damasco (Italy)
Match Odds (Paddy Power): Connacht to win: 11/10; Draw: 17/1; Glasgow Warriors to win: 4/5
Pre-Match Quotes: John Muldoon (Connacht) – “It’s a very exciting time for everybody involved in Connacht Rugby – fans, players, coaches and our families. It is uncharted territory for us, but for the last few weeks we have all come to realise we are in a knockout situation and anything could happen.
“It is all becoming very, very real and it is a fantastic place to be for a club as small as Connacht. The other three teams in the semi-finals are all former winners, so we won’t be underestimating the task that faces us.
“It has been a long road with lot of ups and downs. There has been a lot of heartache over the years, but also plenty of occasions when we have overachieved. There are players and coaches who have been at the club who have put in a lot more than me and they are the ones I shall remember this weekend…and next, if we make it.
“Where we are now is as much about those players from the past, their efforts and sacrifices, as it is about the current team. The older I get, and the closer I move to retirement, the more I think about them.”
Gregor Townsend (Glasgow Warriors) – “The players have worked really hard to secure a fifth consecutive play-off and we’re excited about the opportunity this represents. Connacht are tough opposition and have been playing well, but we’re fully focused on what is required on Saturday night.
“We’re expecting a large number of Glasgow supporters in Galway and we know that they will create a lot of noise and really get behind the team.
“We’ve learnt a lot from the game a fortnight ago and we’re determined to put in a performance of which we can all be proud.”
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:
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
Saturday, May 7, 2016 – Connacht 14 Glasgow Warriors 7, the Sportsground
MATCH FACTS:
– The Sportsground becomes the eighth different venue to host a GUINNESS PRO12 play-off match, no home team has ever been overturned in any of these encounters
– Connacht are appearing in the play-offs for the first time having comfortably achieved their best ever finish, second, at the end of the regular season
– Connacht’s last five matches in the PRO12 have all been won by the home side on the day, while their only defeat at home in any competition this season was 10-3 to Ulster in the PRO12 on December 26
– Defending champions Glasgow Warriors are bidding to become only the second side ever to retain their title after Leinster did so in 2014
– The Scotsmen’s nine-match winning run ended against the same opponents at the same venue in round 22
– This is the Warriors’ fifth successive appearance in the play-offs and they are bidding to reach a third successive final
– Connacht’s victory over Glasgow two weeks ago ended a run of eight successive Warriors wins in the fixture
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