Connacht's tough task

MAGNERS LEAGUE PREVIEW:THE REMIT facing Connacht for the remainder of the Magners League is as much a mental task as a physical one. Languishing 11 points adrift of the Dragons at the foot of the table, the Irish province have very little to play for in practical terms.

Coach Michael Bradley has made two changes and a positional switch to the team that lost unluckily to Cardiff last time out, recalling Kieran Campbell at scrumhalf and Michael Swift to the second row. Andrew Browne switches to the backrow to accommodate Swift.

Connacht will want to produce a decent team performance but there is also an individual consideration. This summer an Ireland team, minus its Lions contingent, will head to the United States while a shadow squad will take part in the Churchill Cup.

The province boasts a sizeable group of players who are capable of making either tour. Performances during the remainder of the Magners League campaign will dictate which one.

Scotland scrumhalf Mike Blair will lead an Edinburgh side looking to repeat comprehensive recent home victories over Glasgow and Ulster. Blair, Chris Paterson, Nick De Luca, Phil Godman, Ross Ford and Jim Hamilton return from Six Nations duty and Blair is confident another home win can help set up Edinburgh for a strong finish to the league campaign.

Edinburgh V Connacht, Venue: Murrayfield, Kick-off: 7.30

EDINBURGH:C Paterson; A Turnbull, B Cairns, N De Luca, S Webster; P Godman, M Blair (capt); K Traynor, R Ford, G Cross; C Hamilton, J Hamilton; S Newlands, A MacDonald, A Hogg. Replacements: A Kelly, G Kerr, S MacLeod, M Mustchin, G Laidlaw, D Blair, J Houston.

CONNACHT:T Nathan; L Bibo, G Duffy, K Matthews, F Carr; I Keatley, K Campbell; B Wilkinson, S Cronin, R Morris; M Swift, A Farley; A Browne, R Ofisa, J Muldoon (capt). Replacements: A Flavin, R Loughney, D Gannon, J O'Connor; C O'Loughlin, A Dunne, M Deane.

Referee:David Bodilly (Wales).

Last meeting:(October 2008): Connacht 14 Edinburgh 27

Leading points scorers:Edinburgh – Chris Paterson 78. Connacht – Ian Keatley 90.

Leading try scorers: Edinburgh – Ben Cairns 3. Connacht – Fionn Carr 3.

Verdict: Edinburgh to win.