Connacht have a quick five-day turnaround to negotiate as they look to maintain their winning form on a tricky trip to ninth-placed Cardiff Blues.
GUINNESS PRO12: Friday, March 6
CARDIFF BLUES (9th) v CONNACHT (6th), BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park, 7.35pm (live TG4/BBC 2 Wales/Galway Bay FM)
Team News: Connacht head coach Pat Lam has made three personnel changes to his team to face Cardiff Blues at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park tonight.
Mils Muliaina returns to the fray and will start at full-back, while last weekend’s opening try scorer, Tiernan O’Halloran, shifts to the right wing.
The 23-year-old Michael Kearney is promoted to the starting line-up and joins Aly Muldowney in the second row. George Naoupu’s inclusion at number 8 represents the other change to the pack.
Darragh Leader returns from injury to take his place on the bench and his fellow Galway-born team-mate Andrew Browne (pictured below) is included among the replacement forwards.
Meanwhile, back rower Josh Navidi returns to the Cardiff Blues’ starting line-up and Ellis Jenkins is handed the captaincy as the Welsh regional outfit tackle Connacht.
Navidi is named at number 8 for the big league encounter as the coaching team of Dale McIntosh and Paul John make a total of six changes to the side that earned a hard-fought 21-15 victory over Edinburgh last weekend.
Out-half Gareth Anscombe and winger Alex Cuthbert return in the backs division after being released by Wales this week. A new-look back-line sees a switch to full-back for Rhys Patchell, while Argentinian international Joaquin Tuculet is selected on the left wing.
Tighthead prop legend Taufa’ao Filise starts the game in the front row, with Adam Jones ruled out, alongside the called-up Kristian Dacey, with Sam Hobbs remaining at loosehead.
Lou Reed is selected in the second row alongside New Zealander Jarrad Hoeata while the captaincy is handed to the impressive Jenkins after his all-action display against Edinburgh.
CARDIFF BLUES: Rhys Patchell; Alex Cuthbert, Cory Allen, Gavin Evans, Joaquin Tuculet; Gareth Anscombe, Lloyd Williams; Sam Hobbs, Kristian Dacey, Taufa’ao Filise, Jarrad Hoeata, Lou Reed, Josh Turnbull, Ellis Jenkins (capt), Josh Navidi.
Replacements: Rhys Williams, Thomas Davies, Scott Andrews, Filo Paulo, Macauley Cook, Tavis Knoyle, Gareth Davies, Tom Isaacs.
CONNACHT: Mils Muliaina; Tiernan O’Halloran, Danie Poolman, Dave McSharry, Matt Healy; Craig Ronaldson, John Cooney; Denis Buckley, Tom McCartney, Rodney Ah You, Michael Kearney, Aly Muldowney, John Muldoon (capt), Jake Heenan, George Naoupu.
Replacements: Shane Delahunt, Ronan Loughney, Finlay Bealham, Andrew Browne, Eoghan Masterson, Ian Porter, Jack Carty, Darragh Leader.
Referee: Lloyd Linton (Scotland)
Assistant Referees: Leighton Hodges, Craig Evans (both Wales)
Television Match Official: Gareth Simmonds (Wales)
Match Odds (Paddy Power): Cardiff Blues to win: 2/5; Draw: 20/1; Connacht to win: 15/8
Pre-Match Quotes: Pat Lam (Connacht) – “With another physical challenge away from home, it’s great to be able to bring in fresh legs up front with Mick, George and Andrew in addition to the leadership and experience from Mils out the back.
“Like every game from now until the end of the season, four points against Cardiff is massively important in the context of our ultimate goal.
“Challenges we face this week such as a short five-day turnaround, long travel, and 4G pitch were all identified early on and we tailored our preparation accordingly.
“We know how dangerous Cardiff can be, especially at home. They had a fantastic win against Edinburgh last weekend, playing more of an expansive game and stretching the defence to score some quality tries. Once again, we will need to perform as a team to secure the desired outcome that will leave us in a strong position before the break.”
Paul John (Cardiff Blues) – “Connacht have enjoyed a fine season in the league and are pushing hard for a top six finish. Pat Lam and his coaching team have got them playing some fantastic rugby.
“There was nothing between the teams when we met at the Sportsground in Galway in October and I’m sure this will be a very tight encounter as we look to claim another important win at home.
“We were pleased to defeat Edinburgh last Sunday and it was important for everyone connected with the region for us to get a win on the board.
“It’s been a quick turnaround this week but we are lifted by the return of some of our Wales internationals and I know the likes of Gareth Anscombe and Alex Cuthbert will be keen to impress and get some rugby under their belts.”
Top Scorers – 2014/15 GUINNESS PRO12: Cardiff Blues – Points: Rhys Patchell 109; Tries: Lloyd Williams 5; Connacht – Points: Craig Ronaldson 54; Tries: Kieran Marmion, Matt Healy, Aly Muldowney, Danie Poolman 3 each
RECENT LEAGUE MEETINGS:
Friday, February 10, 2012 – Cardiff Blues 22 Connacht 15, Cardiff City Stadium
Saturday, September 1, 2012 – Connacht 9 Cardiff Blues 13, the Sportsground
Friday, February 22, 2013 – Cardiff Blues 22 Connacht 26, Cardiff Arms Park
Friday, September 13, 2013 – Cardiff Blues 21 Connacht 10, Cardiff Arms Park
Saturday, May 3, 2014 – Connacht 15 Cardiff Blues 22, the Sportsground
Friday, October 3, 2014 – Connacht 24 Cardiff Blues 24, the Sportsground
MATCH FACTS:
– Cardiff Blues ended a three-match losing streak in the GUINNESS PRO12 with their 21-15 home victory over Edinburgh last Sunday
– The Blues have yet to beat an Irish province this season, their last such win coming against Connacht in Galway last May
– Connacht have won back-to-back PRO12 encounters, at the Dragons and at home to Treviso, but have not won three in-a-row since the first three rounds this year
– Connacht were victorious on their most recent visit to Wales but have not won two in succession in the country since the 2004/05 season
– Connacht’s only victory over the Blues in their last ten fixtures was 26-22 at the Arms Park in February 2013
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