Downey Returns For Connacht

Connacht coach Michael Bradley has added Ted Robinson, James Downey and Ray Hogan to his squad for Saturday’s Celtic League clash with Border Reivers at the Sportsground.

John Fogarty is tackled by Borders’ Johnny Weston in last year’s clash in Galway

Connacht coach Michael Bradley has added Ted Robinson, James Downey and Ray Hogan to his squad for Saturday’s Celtic League clash with Border Reivers at the Sportsground.

CELTIC LEAGUE: Saturday, September 24

Connacht v Border Reivers, The Sportsground, 2.30pm

The Scottish district stole a march on their basement rivals with their surprise 16-6 victory over the Ospreys last Sunday – a result which ended a nine-game losing streak for Steve Bates’s side.

Connacht, losers in Edinburgh and Llanelli on consecutive weekends, will be looking to continue a trend which has seen them lose just once in six Celtic League and Cup encounters with Borders.

Imposing centre Downey, 24, is the most notable inclusion for the home side. The former Leinster man will be itching for his first start of the season after a successful back operation.

This is the first of two crucial home games for the westerners – they welcome Munster to Galway, seven days later.

The corresponding fixture last year saw Eric Elwood – now Connacht’s assistant coach – kick a late penalty for a 29-27 victory. Borders lie just a point ahead of Bradley’s bottom-placed charges in the standings with five points.

Reivers boss Bates has made five changes to his side – Tom McGee replaces Bruce Douglas (foot) as tighthead prop, John Dalziel starts at blindside flanker and Samoan Semo Sititi earns his first start of the season at number 8.

In the backs, Scotland international Simon Danielli is back after a period on the sidelines with an ankle injury and illness while Ben MacDougall returns at outside centre following a stomach bug.

Connacht: 2005/06 Form: WLL; Position: 11th; Top Points Scorer: Paul Warwick 18; Top Try Scorers: Paul Warwick, Chris Venter, Conor McPhillips 1 each; Last Season: Connacht 29 Borders 27, Borders 9 Connacht 18

Borders: 2005/06 Form: LLW; Position: 10th; Top Points Scorer: Charlie Hore 18; Top Try Scorers: Kelly Brown, Gregor Townsend, Ben MacDougall, Nikki Walker 1 each

CONNACHT Squad: Forwards: Dan McFarland, Ray Hogan, Adrian Clarke, Stephen Knoop, Ronan Loughney, John Fogarty, Chris Venter, Andrew Farley (Capt), Christian Short, Michael Swift, Matt Lacey, John Muldoon, Brendan O’Connor, Colm Rigney.

Backs: Chris Keane, Tom Tierney, Paul Warwick, David Slemen, Keith Matthews, James Downey, Darren Yapp, Conor McPhillips, Ted Robinson, Matt Mostyn, Daniel Riordan.

BORDERS: Calum MacRae; Nikki Walker, Ben MacDougall, Garry Law, Simon Danielli; Charlie Hore, Chris Cusiter; Paul Thomson (Capt), Steve Scott, Tom McGee, Opeta Palepoi, Mark Blair, John Dalziel, Andy Miller, Semo Sititi.

Replacements: Ross Ford, Geoff Cross, Colin Stewart, Wayne McEntee, Kelly Brown, Brendan McKerchar, Lee Kibble.

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)