This week Connacht host Pro12 table toppers Llanelli Scarlets at the Sportsground 

 

 

 

Venue: The Sportsground, Galw

Date: Saturday, September 15

Kick-off: 15:00

TV Broadcasts: TG4 (Ireland Only)

Radio: Galway Bay FM (and online)

 

Eric Elwood has makes six changes to his starting side for Saturday's PRO12 clash with table topping Scarlets at the Sportsground in Galway.

 

Injury has forced an entire new back row and sees the return of Andrew Browne named as blindside flanker. Supporters will no doubt be delighted to see him back in action in his first game back since he was injured during the 2011 pre-season. Willie Faloon and Eoin McKeon complete a youthful Connacht back row as they replace the battle hardened trio of John Muldoon, Johnny O'Connor and George Naopu respectively from last Friday’s victory in Parma.

 

Brett Wilkinson is welcomed back in the loosehead prop position, with our new signing Nathan White from Leinster getting his first start tomorrow as tighthead prop.

 

In the backs, Dave McSharry is promoted to a starting berth, replacing Mata Fifita in the centre. Kieran Marmian who started in the preseason friendly against Harlequins and also played a pivotal role for Ireland at the IRB Junior World Championship, starting four of their five games en route to a highest ever finish of fifth continues at Scrumhalf, with Dave Moore providing backup. This should be an interesting outing for our young welsh born Scrumhalf in his first senior outing against a Welsh region.

 

Of most concern for Connacht's possible prospects of an upset is the appointment of the SRU's Ulster born official Neil Paterson who officiates tomorrow's fixture. To describe him as overly officious would be to be kind to him, whistle happiness at it's best and an eagerness to remain centre stage at all times tend to constantly dominate his performances. Gavin Duffy will do well to get on-side with him early on and stay on-side if Connacht are to stand any chance of success. At least with the IRFU's John Lacey and less well know John Carvill running the touchline we should not see the sort of error that saw innocent victim Rodney Ah You erroneously sent to the bin last weekend.

 

Meanwhile Scarlets make eight changes of their own to their starting XV for the encounter, as Scarlets head coach Simon Easterby brings in a few new faces to his matchday squad and mixes up experience and youth with a number of player rotations for the contest.

 

Young Scarlets talent Jordan Williams gets his senior Scarlets debut at full-back where he replaces his namesake Liam Williams while new signing Australian Welsh-qualified second row Jake Ball is on the bench and gets his first opportunity to appear in his regional colours. Wales international centre Jon Davies takes the captain's armband for the first time in his Scarlets rugby career.

 

Other changes to the back-line from last weekend's run-on side against Glasgow sees Gareth Davies replacing Tavis Knoyle at scrum-half, while Nick Reynolds comes in for Andy Fenby on the wing.

 

Amongst the forwards, Samson Lee starts at tight-head in his first competitive start and Phil John at loose-head prop, Sione Timani joins Richard Kelly in the second row. Lee takes over from Fiji international Deacon Manu while John and Timani come in for Rhodri Jones and George Earle respectively.

 

In the back row, Kieran Murphy starts at number eight with Scarlets skipper Rob McCusker on the bench and Josh Turnbull replaces Aaron Shingler on the flank.

 

Comments:

Connacht's Elwood was pleased with the team's performance in their 30-17 win over Zebre in Parma last week but knows there is a lot of serious work to do this weekend.

"We played well in Zebre scoring three tries away from home and securing our first win of the season," he said. "The lads showed huge character in Italy, especially when we were forced into making so many changes in the second half.”

"Tomorrow poses another challenge as Scarlets are top of the league and are playing very well. They've had a great start to the season, scoring 10 tries in the process. We will really have to step it up against this Scarlets side but the lads are well up for the challenge."

Scarlets attack coach Mark Jones expects a tough assignment against Connacht.

"We haven't had a great record at the Sportsground and have tripped up on our last two visits with narrow losses, so we don't put ourselves in a position where we are fighting a tight margin at the end of the game," he said.

"We will need to be ruthless and get ahead and then protect that lead. There is certainly no complacency in this side and absolutely no expectation on winning. What we expect is for the boys to perform to the level they have this season, improve on the margins and then we are in with a chance. Our only expectation is on the performance - that should then take care of the result."

"We've got some tough competition to start us off, if you think that in our first four games we've played three of last year's semi-finalists but that's given us a boost," he explained. We knew we needed to get off to a strong start in our first six games. Last weekend in Glasgow gave us a better indication of where we were, we did a good defensive job, put the ball in the right areas and nailed our opportunities. And it's good to see those chances being taken. 

"Our centre partnership is working well and it's good that Jonathan (Davies) and Scott (Williams) have had time training together now here at Parc y Scarlets - rather than just with Wales. The key thing is that the team is complimenting those strike players; we have good width in our attack and the players are excited to get ball in their hands and are working hard to get onto the ball. We have to maintain this type of intent in the group, but so far so good. What we also have to focus on is our ability to develop a tighter game as well so we have potent attacking options in other areas of our game, particularly when the weather isn't so good."

 

Form: 

Connacht gained a first win of the new RaboDirect PRO12 season on Friday when they visited Zebre and triumphed 30-17. Connacht's only win in their last seven matches against Welsh regions was 27-19 against the Dragons at Rodney Parade on 30 March 2012.

Scarlets top the PRO12 table for the first time since round three in season 2008/09 following their successive wins over Leinster and Glasgow. The Welshmen have won back to back away games but have not won three in a row on the road in the tournament since 2006/07.

The last six clashes between the two sides have all been won by the home side on the day, whilst Scarlets most recent victory at the Sportsground came on 9 January 2009.

 

The Officials:

 

Referee: Neil Paterson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Johnny Lacey (Ireland), John Carvill (Ireland)
Television match official: Dermot Moloney (Ireland)
Assessor: Michael Carroll (Ireland)