Swift And Roberts Return For Connacht

Connacht have been boosted by the return from injury of winger Mike Roberts and lock Michael Swift for their trop to the Arms Parks on Friday (kick-off 7.05pm) to take on the Cardiff Blues.

Mike Roberts will make his competitive debut for Connacht when he starts on the left wing.

Michael Swift returns to the side having missed the 15-8 victory over Glasgow at the weekend and will partner Andrew Browne in the second row.

Ireland international Johnny O’Connor will start in the province’s back row. He was introduced as a replacement against Glasgow having recovered from an arm injury which kept him out of the first two Magners League games of the season.

Gavin Duffy (quad strain), Keith Matthews (shoulder) and Ray Ofisa (shoulder) were not considered due to injuries picked up in the win over Glasgow.

Connacht coach Michael Bradley said this will give an opportunity to others to stake a claim.

“It gives the guys who did not start last week a chance to put down a marker ahead of the European Challenge Cup campaign,” he insisted.

CONNACHT (v Cardiff Blues): Fionn Carr; Aidan Wynne, John Hearty, Mel Deane, Mike Roberts; Andy Dunne, Frank Murphy; John Lyne, Adrian Flavin, Robbie Morris, Andrew Browne, Mike Swift, John Muldoon (capt), Johnny O’Connor, Colm Rigney.

Replacements: Sean Cronin, Ronan Loughney, Andrew Farley, Mike McCarthy, Kieran Campbell, Ian Keatley, Liam Bibo.