Magners Preview: Glasgow Warriors v Connacht
Firhill Stadium, the home ground of soccer club Partick Thistle, will host Friday night’s Magners League clash between the Glasgow Warriors and Connacht with the westerners hoping to chalk up their second win in three league games.
MAGNERS LEAGUE: Friday, October 5
GLASGOW WARRIORS v CONNACHT, Firhill, 7.30pm (live Setanta Sports 2)
Team News: Connacht coach Michael Bradley has made two changes to his team for the trip to Scotland, bringing Keith Matthews and Ronan Loughney into the starting line-up.
The changes to the side that started last week’s 34-11 defeat to Scarlets see Matthews come in to start on the left wing, in place of the unavailable Darren Yapp, and Loughney takes Robbie Morris’ place at tighthead prop.
There is a change on the province’s replacements bench also with USA ‘A’ international Alipate Tuilevuka named in the matchday 22 for the first time for a competitive fixture.
Meanwhile, winger Max Evans returns to the Glasgow side. He replaces Hefin O’Hare, who moves to the bench, at centre following last weekend’s loss at the hands of the Ospreys.
Glasgow: Bernardo Stortoni; Max Evans, Graeme Morrison, Daryl Gibson, Colin Shaw; Colin Gregor, Sam Pinder; Ed Kalman, Eric Milligan, Moray Low, Andy Newman, Alastair Kellock (capt), Stevie Swindall, James Eddie, Johnnie Beattie.
Replacements: Pat McArthur, Ben Prescott, Dan Turner, Richie Vernon, Calum Forrester, Scott Barrow, Hefin O’Hare.
Connacht: Peter Durcan; Ofisa Treviranus, Mel Deane, Aidan Wynne, Keith Matthews; Tim Donnelly, Conor McPhillips; Brett Wilkinson, Adrian Flavin (capt), Ronan Loughney, Michael Swift, David Gannon, Michael McCarthy, Johnny O’Connor, Colm Rigney.
Replacements: John Fogarty, Robbie Morris, John Muldoon, Ray Ofisa, Conor O’Loughlin, Danny Riordan, Alipate Tuilevuka.
Referee: Phil Fear (Wales)
Coach Speak: Sean Lineen (Glasgow) – “We are looking for a big season here at Glasgow, and with Friday being our first home game at our new home at Firhill, we are looking for a healthy support in the Jackie Husband stand. The more supporters in the stands, the louder it will be for the boys.”
Michael Bradley (Connacht) – “Traditionally this has been a difficult away fixture for us. We’ve been competitive but haven’t won the games. I think Glasgow always would see the Connacht fixture as a must win game for them and we’re going to do the same. I think the scoreline will be tight but the game itself will be quite loose.
“They’ve some powerful centres and they stick a lot of traffic through the centre of the park and if we can handle that which we haven’t in the past then it could be a good night for us.”
Match Odds: Paddy Power – To Win: Glasgow 2/5, Connacht 7/4; Draw: 20/1
PREVIOUS LEAGUE MEETINGS:
December 1, 2001: Quarter-Final – Connacht 29 Glasgow 34, The Sportsground
October 25, 2002: Glasgow 29 Connacht 7, Hughenden
September 26, 2003: Glasgow 19 Connacht 30, Hughenden
February 28, 2004: Connacht 28 Glasgow 28, The Sportsground
September 4, 2004: Connacht 31 Glasgow 15, The Sportsground
December 17, 2004: Glasgow 35 Connacht 0, Hughenden
November 4, 2005: Glasgow 30 Connacht 15, Hughenden
May 26, 2006: Connacht 33 Glasgow 7, The Sportsground
November 3, 2006: Glasgow 39 Connacht 34, Hughenden
April 13, 2007: Connacht 23 Glasgow 40, The Sportsground
MATCH FACTS:
– Glasgow are returning to Firhill for the first time since May 2006, but the Warriors have won their last four home matches in the Magners League since an Ulster victory at Hughenden in January
– Connacht’s only win since early March was 22-7 at home to the Dragons on September 21. The westerners will be attempting to win a game in Scotland for the first time since a trip to the Borders in September 2006
– Glasgow have won four of the last five meetings between the two teams as Connacht make their first ever visit to Firhill