Thursday, September 20, 2012

8 changes to Connacht team for Glasgow

From the Connacht rugby media office…

connacht

Eric Elwood's starting XV for tomorrow night's game against Glasgow shows eight changes to that which ran out in the Sportsground last weekend.

In the backs, Mark McCrea and James Loxton replace Fetu'u Vainikolo and Tiernan O'Halloran on the wing respectively. Matthew Jarvis replaces Miah Nikora, who takes a well-deserved break, at out-half.

19 year old Robbie Henshaw gets his first start for the province after making an appearance and notable impact from the bench in all three RaboDirect PRO12 games so far. Henshaw replaces Eoin Griffin, who is resting an ankle injury, at Outside Centre.

Dave McSharry, who in superb fashion burst back onto the scene last week against Scarlets, lines out again tomorrow night and joins Henshaw in the young and new-look centre partnership.

Up front, meanwhile, hooker Adrian Flavin, who last week celebrated his 100th league appearance, replaces Ethienne Reynecke. He is joined in the front row by Brett Wilkinson and Nathan White.

George Naoupu started at no.8 against Cardiff Blues and Zebre but tomorrow he joins the second row alongside Dave Gannon who gains his first start after three consecutive weeks coming on from the bench.

Willie Faloon, who made his Connacht starting debut last weekend, stars in the all-new back row trio which sees Johnny O'Connor move from Openside to Blindside Flanker

On the bench, Michael Swift takes a well-earned rest for this match while Academy members Kevin O'Byrne and Jack Carty are also set for their first action of the campaign, with both having been included among the replacements.

Both Connacht and Glasgow Warriors will be looking for their second win of the league tomorrow night. The Warriors gained a notable opening win of the season courtesy of their 28-10 victory against reigning champions Ospreys.

KO at Scotstoun Stadium is at 19:35.

Connacht XV

15. Gavin Duffy (Captain)
14. James Loxton
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Dave McSharry
11. Mark McCrea
10. Matthew Jarvis
9. Kieran Marmion

1. Brett Wilkinson
2. Adrian Flavin
3. Nathan White
4. George Naoupu
5. Dave Gannon
6. Johnny O'Connor
7. Willie Faloon
8. Eoin McKeon

Replacements (from):

16. Kevin O'Byrne
17. Denis Buckley
18. Rodney Ah You
19. Michael Swify
20. Mick Kearney
21. Dave Moore
22. Jack Carty

23. Mata Fifita

D4tress

D4tress
Taken by JLP from RDS press box on Nov 16, 2019