Connacht must win to stay alive

EUROPEAN CHALLENGE CUP:Rovigo v Connacht, Today, 2pm (Irish time) Stadio Mario Battaglini

CONNACHT ARE expecting a real test in Italy today. Traditionally among the weaker sides in the competition, Rovigo are taking this year's European competition seriously, and they are level with Connacht in Pool One.

Connacht know anything other than a victory in Stadio Mario Battaglini is likely to result in their failure to qualify for the quarter-finals. They are again without captain John Muldoon, number eight Colin Rigney, Conor Muldoon, Joe Merrigan, Liam Bibo, Mel Deane, Andy Dunne, Mike Roberts, and Niva Ta'auso.

Mike McCarthy moves from lock to blindside, alongside Johnny O'Connor and Ray Ofisa, who moves to number eight, while Andrew Browne will partner Andrew Farley in the secondrow.

In the backs, Gavin Duffy, who continues as captain, reverts to the centre to partner Keith Matthews, while Danny Riordan, who scored two tries for Buccaneers last weekend, gets a chance to shine with a rare start since returning from injury. He will play on the left wing, with Fionn Carr restored to fullback and New Zealander Troy Nathan on the right wing.

Once again, Ian Keatley and Frank Murphy form the halfbacks.

Connacht are still in a position to qualify - at least as one of three best pool runners-up - if they negotiate this hurdle.

CONNACHT:F Carr; T Nathan, G Duffy (capt), K Matthews, D Riordan; I Keatley, F Murphy; B Wilkinson, S Cronin, R Morris; A Browne, A Farley; M McCarthy, J O'Connor, R Ofisa. Replacements: A Flavin, R Loughney, M Swift, D Gannon, K Campbell, T Donnelly, J Hearty.

Friday, Dec 12th - Connacht v Rovigo, Galway Sportsground, 6.30pm.

• The five pool winners and three best-placed runners-up will qualify for the European Challenge Cup Quarter-finals.