Is that a 6-2 forwards split, or a traditional 5-3 with Fifita reverting back to cover at centre?

Is it because we're stuffed with injuries?

Its great that O'Connor and Griffin can play. Marmion has played every game this season, amazing young fella, sure to be called up to the Ireland squad under Schmidt in the near future.

I'm excited for the game, I didn't get to any others because I was away from Galway most of the year, couldn't pass up this one though with that night that's in it.

O’Connor to Start for Final Game

Connacht Rugby take on Glasgow Warriors at the Sportsground tomorrow night and Head Coach Eric Elwood has named a side that sees Johnny O’Connor start in the number 7 shirt one last time.

The 33-year-old flanker will retire from rugby after tomorrow night’s game, which is his 146th for the province.

O’Connor represents the only personnel change to the Forwards from the team who drew to Treviso last weekend. He is joined in the back row by Andrew Browne and Eoin McKeon, who moves to Number 8.

On his return from injury, 22-year-old Eoin Griffin is named at outside centre for the last game of the 2012/13 season. This change sees the season’s record try scorer, Danie Poolman, move on to the right wing.

On the bench, Adrian Flavin is named at replacement hooker and is in line to make his 142nd and final appearance for Connacht - his team for the last seven years.

Connacht currently occupy 8th place in the RaboDirect PRO12 table, and while a win tomorrow night would equal the best ever finish achieved last year, it would also mean a record number of wins in the league to go with a best away record so far.

Connacht XV

15. Gavin Duffy (captain)
14. Danie Poolman
13. Eoin Griffin
12. Brian Murphy
11. Fetu’u Vainikolo
10. Dan Parks
9. Kieran Marmion

1. Brett Wilkinson
2. Ethienne Reynecke
3. Ronan Loughney
4. Michael Swift
5. Mike McCarthy
6. Andrew Browne
7. Johnny O’Connor
8. Eoin McKeon

Replacements (from): Adrian Flavin, Rodney Ah You, JP Cooney, Mick Kearney, John Muldoon, Mata Fifita, Paul O’Donohoe, Miah Nikora

Unavailable due to injury: Denis Buckley, Willie Faloon, Eoghan Grace, Robbie Henshaw, Dave McSharry, Frank Murphy, George Naoupu, Dave Nolan, Kyle Tonetti, Nathan White.

It’s all happening at the Sportsground this Friday night as we celebrate Eric Elwood’s last ever game as Head Coach. To find out more on the activities planned click here.

Tickets are selling fast so don’t miss out on this special event and come up to the Sportsground to bid farewell to Eric, Johnny and Flav. Tickets available from the Connacht Rugby offices and ticketmaster.ie.

Connacht Rugby v Glasgow Warriors
At Sportsground, 7.45pm
Referee: George Clancy (IRFU, 55th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Paul Haycock, John Carvill (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: John Cole (IRFU)
TMO: Seamus Flannery (IRFU)

Thanks for that info Westie. Fingers crossed then that he at least makes the bench.

According to the Galway Independent JOC trained yesterday and Eric is hopeful he can play some part on Friday!

Good to hear JHW & Griffin are in the running for spots, but can we assume there's no chance of JOC running out one last time at the Sportsground?

was half expecting to read dan parks was out.

Squad Update

The Connacht squad trained in Galway early this week ahead of Friday night’s clash against the Glasgow Warriors at the Sportsground in what is the final round of matches in the RaboDirect PRO12, and the final game of the season for Connacht Rugby.

While there were a few light knocks picked up during last Friday’s draw away to Benetton Treviso, there was also some welcome news with hooker Jason Harris-Wright and centre Eoin Griffin returning to full training. Both players are hopeful to be available ahead of Friday’s game.

Connacht currently occupy 8th place in the RaboDirect PRO12 table, and are aiming to equal their best ever finish which was achieved last year.

Glasgow Warriors have already qualified for the Play-Offs , but will probably need to win to give themselves any chance of gaining home advantage. The Warriors last six fixtures have all been won by the home side on the day, and they have not tasted victory on the road since beating Newport Gwent Dragons 60-3 at Rodney Parade in February. Glasgow’s only win in Ireland since 2009 came against Leinster at RDS in September 2011.

The Warriors are unbeaten in their last three contests with Connacht, whilst they have not been victorious at the Sportsground since April 2007.

The team to face the Glasgow will be announced at midday on Thursday.

It’s all happening at the Sportsground this Friday night as we celebrate Eric Elwood’s last ever game as Head Coach. To find out more on the activities planned click here.

Tickets are selling fast so don’t miss out on this special event and come up to the Sportsground to bid farewell to Eric, Johnny and Flav. Tickets available from the Connacht Rugby offices and ticketmaster.ie.

Connacht Rugby v Glasgow Warriors
At Sportsground, 7.45pm
Referee: George Clancy (IRFU, 55th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Paul Haycock, John Carvill (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: John Cole (IRFU)
TMO: Seamus Flannery (IRFU)

An extremely rare outing for Connacht on RTE but for anyone missing TG4 - or budding aficionados of Scots Gaelic - you don't have to listen to it in English, it's also on BBC Alba!

rossie wrote: I read on the glasgow fans site(excellent site btw) that dan parks has yet to line out against them since he left. Always gets an injury in week of game apparently. They believe its a mark of respect thing. Dont know if its actually the case(havent had time to check) but will be interesting to see if he does play. Imo he will be vital to have a chance of winning.

Whatever your job is can I have it please? You seem to knock a great time out of scouring around the fans sites of all the professional teams in Britain and Ireland.

columoc wrote: So, this isn't a nostalgia thread from 13 years ago. #disappointed

Whaddya mean.... :whistle:

So, this isn't a nostalgia thread from 13 years ago. #disappointed

rossie wrote: I read on the glasgow fans site(excellent site btw) that dan parks has yet to line out against them since he left. Always gets an injury in week of game apparently. They believe its a mark of respect thing. Dont know if its actually the case(havent had time to check) but will be interesting to see if he does play. Imo he will be vital to have a chance of winning.

With it being Eric's last game cannot see that happening unless actually injured, would be very bad for his karma..

It would be lovely if all our former players refused to play against us

he also didnt play in the both games vs cardiff this year. first game at home he was injured for fe months, but for the away match at cardiff arms park, im sure he was named in the team but pulled out injured!

The South African burst over for his fifth try of the RaboDirect PRO12 season but fly-half Nikora, a late replacement for former Blue Dan Parks, failed with his conversion attempt.

Late team change for Connacht



Dan Parks has been unable to shake off a hamstring injury and so will not feature in tonight’s clash with Cardiff.

Miah Nikora will now start at Number 10 while replacement back Matt Healy is named on the bench.

I read on the glasgow fans site(excellent site btw) that dan parks has yet to line out against them since he left. Always gets an injury in week of game apparently. They believe its a mark of respect thing. Dont know if its actually the case(havent had time to check) but will be interesting to see if he does play. Imo he will be vital to have a chance of winning.

Piece from Scotland on Dan Parks to start us off:

www.heraldscotland.com/sport/rugby/glasg...and-kicking.20878720

They seem to like him in Glasgow