Robbie Henshaw’s return can steel Connacht for difficult away assignment

Robbie Henshaw returns to the Connacht side as coach Pat Lam makes six changes to the team that faced Scarlets last weekend. Henshaw is joined on the trip to Edinburgh by record try scorer Fionn Carr and last week’s try scorer Matt Healy.

Ronan Loughney starts at loosehead in place of the injured Brett Wilkinson, while Mick Kearney has been handed his first start of the season. The 6ft’5ins (1.95m) 22-year-old joins skipper Craig Clarke in the secondrow. Eoin McKeon returns to the side after missing three months due to injury and, after playing 80 minutes for club side Buccaneers last weekend, starts at number 8.

Edinburgh give a start to their 20-times cappped Scotland international backrow, Ross Rennie, who has come off the bench in the last two games. Tonight's outing is his first start since March.

Edinburgh form
Edinburgh, with a strong South African influence, have won their last three home matches in succession, losing just once [against Scarlets] at Murrayfield this season in all competitions. "We face another challenge away from home tomorrow. Edinburgh have proven a strong side who are tough to beat at home," said Lam. "They've won their last three games at Murrayfield, including an excellent Heineken Cup win over Munster. "
EDINBURGH: G Tonks; Dife, N De Luca, B Atiga, J Cuthbert; H Leonard, G Laidlaw; A Dickenson, A Lutui, WP Nel, O Aitkens, I van der Westhuizen, C Du Preez, R Rennie, D Denton. Replacements: J Hilterbrand, W Blaauw, G Cross, S Cox, R Grant, S Hildago-Clyne, S Beard, T Brown.
CONNACHT: R Henshaw; F Carr, E Griffin, D McSharry, M Healy; D Parks. K Marmion; R Loughney, S Henry, N White, M Kearney, C Clarke, A Muldowney, J Heenan, E McKeon. Replacements : J Harris-Wright, D Buckley, R Ah You, M Swift, J Muldoon, F Murphy, C Ronaldson, G Duffy.
Referee: L Hodges (WRU).
Verdict: Home win.