Connacht face tough test of progress

RUGBY/Glasgow v Connacht:CONNACHT COACH Eric Elwood understands the futility of looking backwards and so won't dwell unduly on his side's narrow defeat to the Scarlets in Wales last weekend. The province were in a position to win the match only to be denied seven minutes into injury-time at the end of the game.

Elwood takes his young Connacht side on the road again, this time to Glasgow where an equally difficult challenge awaits. Ray Ofisa, Niva Ta’auso, Jamie Hagan and Bernie Upton suffered knocks in the Llanelli game but have passed fitness tests. The only change to the 23 on duty the last day is Andrew Browne replacing David Nolan in the replacements.

Seán Lineen gives young flanker Robert Harley a first start and the Glasgow coach knows based on the opening couple of matches, Connacht will provide a sterner test than previous years. He admitted: “Connacht are coming into the game with some momentum, so we know we’re going to have to really front up.”

The Scottish club haven’t lost at Firhill against Irish opposition since Ulster triumphed in April of last year although they were fortunate when Leinster, whom they played on the opening weekend of the season, produced such an insipid second-half performance having led 16-6 at the interval.

Fionn Carr’s hat-trick of tries against the Scarlets underlines his claim to pre-eminence as a finisher in Irish-based rugby. He’s an excellent footballer who can play fullback and across the three-quarter line. If he can maintain that consistency he deserves to make the national squad. He’s probably the quickest player in the country and possesses a predator’s instincts. Connacht’s patterns suggest he’s going to be a central figure in an attacking context.

They key question in determining a winner tonight is whether the bumps and bruises will have a debilitating effect on Connacht’s ability to compete up front.

Glasgow have the pace, power and flair in their three-quarter line if they can dominate possession. This match represents an instructive landmark in Connacht’s progress under Elwood: can they continue to back up an impressive start to the season? The answer at Firhill may be not quite.

GLASGOW WARRIORS: B Stortoni; DTH van der Merwe, M Evans, G Morrison, H O’Hare; R Jackson, C Gregor; J Welsh, F Thomson, E Kalman; T Ryder, R Gray; R Harley, J Barclay (capt), R Vernon. Replacements: P MacArthur, K Tkachuk, M Low, A Muldowney, C Forrester, H Pyrgos, D Weir, P Murchie.

CONNACHT: G Duffy; T Nathan, N Ta’auso, K Matthews, F Carr; I Keatley, F Murphy (capt); B Wilkinson, S Cronin, J Hagan; M Swift, B Upton; M McCarthy, R Ofisa, M McComish. Replacements: A Flavin, R Loughney, R Sweeney, A Browne, S Conneely, C Willis, M Nikora, T O’Halloran.

Referee: L Hodges (Wales).

Last time out: At Sportsground (March 2010) – Connacht 19 Warriors 19.

Leading points scorers: Warriors – Ruaridh Jackson 15. Connacht – Ian Keatley 43 Leading try scorers: Warriors – DTH van der Merwe, R Gray 1 each. Connacht – Fionn Carr 3.

Verdict: Glasgow to win.