Connacht without Hogan

Connacht coach Michael Bradley has made one change to the team that hammered Montpellier 43-10 last weekend for Friday night's European Challenge Cup game against Amatori Catania in Sicily.

Ray Hogan who had just returned from injury for Saturday's game at the Sportsground, hurt his eye in unusual circumstances. In going to tackle a Montpellier player he received a hand-off, with the player's finger scratching his eye. Connacht's medical team has decided it was not worth taking a risk and so his place has gone to Dan McFarland.

There is one further alteration with replacement hooker Joe Merrigan ruled out having been injured in Galwegians' win over Lansdowne on Sunday. South African Chris Venter takes Merrigan's place on the bench. The former Natal Sharks player has played at loosehead and provides good cover for the frontrow.

Bradley won't dwell on the possible ramifications of qualifying for the knock-out stages. "The most important thing is we focus on getting the win. We have some injuries . . . but we have a good squad. Our fate is in our own hands. We have no doubt about the task ahead of us. But we are in a position where we can decide what happens. It is good not to be depending on other results.

Meanwhile, Munster's injured triumvirate of Trevor Halstead, Jerry Flannery and John Kelly took part in training yesterday and should be available for selection ahead of Munster's European Cup match against Sale Sharks at Thomond Park on Saturday.

Ulster await a definitive medical report on outhalf David Humphreys ahead of their game against Treviso in Italy on Saturday while Leinster will today announce a squad for their match with Bath at the Recreation Ground on Sunday.

CONNACHT: M Mostyn; T Robinson, J Hearty, K Matthews, C McPhillips; D Slemen, C Keane; D McFarland, J Fogarty, S Knoop; A Farley (capt), C Short; J Muldoon, M Lacey, C Rigney. Replacements: J Merrigan, A Clarke, M Swift, B O'Connor, T Tierney, P Warwick, M McHugh.