John Muldoon set to make 250th Connacht appearance

Kieran Marmion will start from the benchfor Connacht's trip to play defending Pro 12 champions Glasgow Warriors on Friday night.

Scrum half Marmion, who was released from Ireland’s provisional World Cup training squad, picked up a hip injury in last week’s opening round win over Newport Gwent Dragons and has been unable to train this week, meaning John Cooney will take the number nine jersey at Scotstoun.

Aside from Cooney's introduction to the starting line-up Connacht boss has been able to name an unchanged side for Friday's game, with Nepia Fox-Matamua to make his second appearance in green after scoring on debut last week.

He is joined in the backrow by Eoghan Masterson and captain John Muldoon who will make his 250th appearance for the province.

Ahead of his side’s journey to play the champions boss Lam said: “We understand the enormity of the challenge we have before us against a well-coached Glasgow side stacked full of quality players. We have yet to win at Scotstoun and we’re playing the defending champions who will be fired up after last week’s defeat.

“But our focus for the growth of our young squad is to compete and perform in challenges like this.”

Connacht: Tiernan O'Halloran, Danie Poolman, Rory Parata, Bundee Aki, Matt Healy, Jack Carty, John Cooney, Denis Buckley, Tom McCartney, Rodney Ah You, Quinn Roux, Andrew Browne, John Muldoon (captain), Nepia Fox-Matamua, Eoghan Masterson.

Replacements: Dave Heffernan, JP Cooney, Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, Ben Marshall, Kieran Marmion, Craig Ronaldson, Fionn Carr

Glasgow Warriors: Glenn Bryce, Junior Bulumakau, Peter Murchie (Captain), Fraser Lyle, Lee Jones, Rory Clegg, Mike Blair, Alex Allan, Pat MacArthur, Mike Cusack, Scott Cummings, Kieran Low, Rob Harley, Chris Fusaro, Adam Ashe.

Replacements: Kevin Bryce, Jerry Yanuyanutawa, Zander Fagerson, James Eddie, Tyrone Holmes, Hugh Blake, Grayson Hart, Scott Wight