phatguerilla wrote: Connacht should be targetting a bonus point here

If you mean a losing bonus point, I think we should be aiming for the win.

If you mean a try-bonus win, you need to pack a few more sandwiches for your picnic.

Away league record since home/away fixtures introduced:

11/12 - 2 away wins (by 2 and 8 points respetively)
10/11 - 1 (2)
09/10 - 0
08/09 - 0
07/08 - 1 (2)
06/07 - 1 (14)
05/06 - 1 (2)
04/05 - 4 (8/1/9/3) plus a draw at Munster
03/04 - 3 (11/11/15) plus a draw at Scarlets

It'd be lovely to some day get 5 pointers away, but for Friday I'd gladly settle for a 3 - 0 win courtesy of a drop goal that deflected over the bar off of someone's arse.

I will of course be delighted if I'm proved wrong and you're right.

We've chopped and changed in recent matches, I hope we get back to some form of stability for this one. Everyone's rested and we should start our first teamers where available.

I guess Gannon, Browne and McKeon will come in, but I hope we keep any other changes to the minimum. Not sure who would be the best pick for Fet's spot, maybe Poolman with Henshaw moving to 13?

Connacht should be targetting a bonus point here as a statement of intent, we bet them both times last season and the squad is surely better than it was last year even allowing for injuries. Pity we will be missing McCarthy, Muldoon and Naopou their combined ability and experience would give the team a big boost, but time for the younger players to show what they're made of.

Pro 12 is back.

Connacht visit 11th placed Newport Gwent Dragons in Rodney Parade on Friday, November 23rd

Previous Meetings:
30/03/2012 Dragons 19-27 Connacht
23/09/2011 Connacht 17-13 Dragons
06/01/2011 Dragons 17-16 Connacht
04/09/2010 Connacht 40-17 Dragons
17/03/2010 Connacht 16-3 Dragons
03/10/2009 Dragons 23-10 Connacht

Average Score in Rodney Parade: Dragons 19.66667 - 17.66667 Connacht
Average score over the last 3 seasons: Dragons 15.3333 - 21 Connacht

Squad Update

The Connacht squad trained in Galway yesterday ahead of Friday's RaboDirect PRO12 trip to face Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade (KO: 7pm).

Hooker Ethienne Reynecke returned from a recent calf injury and is available for selection this week.

Meanwhile, versatile forward George Naoupu is still nursing an ankle injury and will continue to be monitored over the next few weeks.

TJ Anderson, Eoin Griffin, Frank Murphy, John Muldoon, Dave Nolan and Kyle Tonetti remain unavailable for selection due to injury.

The team to face Dragons will be announced by 12pm on Friday 22nd November.