Celtic League Previews

Connacht v Edinburgh

Sportsground (6.15, live on TG4)

No one in Connacht will have cared how wretched a spectacle last Saturday's Celtic League match against Cardiff at the Arms Park proved and it is difficult to disagree. Connacht won 6-3 and for them victory is the only commodity that matters. It was a tremendous effort, hallmarked by resilience and character.

Tonight they need to build on that result against an Edinburgh team that lost narrowly at home to Munster. Given that Connacht and Munster meet next Tuesday at Thomond Park, this match will provide a handy benchmark to judge the western province's aptitude to handle the Irish squabble.

Coach Steph Nel makes one change from the Cardiff game, introducing a fit again Jim Ferris on the left wing for the injured Wayne Munn. The other decision he left hanging from earlier in the week was who would start at openside: Paul Neville is named in the team with Colm Rigney on the bench.

Edinburgh have made three changes from the side that lost to Munster. Scrumhalf Graeme Burns is out for six weeks following an injury sustained in that match and he is replaced by Iain Fairley. Gordon Ross takes over from Duncan Hodge at outhalf while Matt Jolly comes into the second row to partner Richard Metcalfe.

Eric Elwood was a pivotal figure in Connacht's win in Wales and the province will once again look to him for inspiration. There is significant scope for improvement, not least in the set pieces, and Nel will be hoping for more powerful scrumaging and a more consistent return out of touch.

CONNACHT: G Duffy; P Duignan, D Yapp, T Allnutt, J Ferris; E Elwood, C Keane; D McFarland, M Uijs, P Bracken; R Frost, M McConnell (capt); M Swift, D Dillon, P Neville.

EDINBURGH: C Paterson; C Murray, M Di Rollo, C Howarth, C Sharman; G Ross, I Fairley; A Jacobsen, S Scott, C Smith; M Jolly, R Metcalfe; D Mackinnon (capt), S Taylor, M Leslie.

Llanelli v Leinster

Stradey Park (7.05)

Ireland manager Brian O'Brien will follow on coach Warren Gatland's visit to Stradey Park last weekend when he takes in tonight's game to once again check on the form of the Easterby brothers, Guy and Simon, as well as the Leinster contingent. Scrumhalf Guy played well in his side's comprehensive opening day victory over Ebbw Vale but it was Simon's display in the back row that grabbed most of the plaudits.

Leinster originally made five changes for tonight's match, allowing players like Peter McKenna, John McWeeney, Aidan McCullen, Liam Toland and Eric Miller to stake a claim for a regular place. The confidence and spirit within the squad is strong following victory over Glasgow but coach Matt Williams is aware that his charges face a far greater physical challenge.

He has been forced to make two late changes with Brian O'Meara failing a fitness test and second row Bob Casey damaging a knee in training. Benny Willis and Trevor Brennan come into the team with Simon Keogh and Keith Gleeson being drafted onto the bench.

Williams will be hoping that Leinster can emulate their last visit to Stradey Park, a European Cup tie which the Irish province won. Tonight's game represents another very good test. It's the beginning of a very important three-match spell.

LLANELLI: B Davies; W Proctor, N Boobyer, L Davies, S Finau; S Jones (capt), G Easterby; M Madden, M Thomas, J Davies; L Gross, C Gillies; S Easterby, D Hodges, I Boobyer.

LEINSTER: P McKenna; J McWeeney, A Magro, S Horgan, G D'Arcy; A Dunne, B Willis; R Corrigan (capt), S Byrne, P Coyle; L Cullen, T Brennan; A McCullen, E Miller, L Toland.

Glasgow v Ulster

Hughenden (7.0)

Ulster enjoyed a fine win over Swansea in their opening encounter and should relish the short trip to Scotland against a Glasgow side that conceded 27 second-half points to Leinster. It is realistic to expect the Scots to be better at home but the Irish province must entertain genuine hopes of a victory.

Glasgow have made three changes and a positional switch. Ian McInroy comes in on the left wing for the injured Rory Kerr while former Australian international Cameron Blades starts his first match for his new employers. Dave Hilton switches to the other side of the scrum. Nathan Ross is introduced into the second row.

Ulster make three alterations. Tyrone Howe has recovered from a knee injury and replaces Jan Cunningham. Australian Dave Allen takes over from the injured Robbie Brink while Jeremy Davidson starts in the second row. David Humphreys was a central factor in the victory over Swansea with his ability to maximise scoring opportunities.

Ulster coach Alan Solomons will be anxious that the province grasps what is a good opportunity to record an away win and considerably enhance their prospects of a place in the quarter-finals. Given that Ulster can expect a reasonable supply of ball, responsibility will once again fall on Humphreys.

GLASGOW: G Kiddie; J Steel, J McLaren, A Henderson, I McInroy; T Hayes, A Nicol (capt); C Blades, G Bulloch, D Hilton; N Ross, J White; G Simpson, J Petrie, D McFadyen.

ULSTER: P Wallace; J Topping, J Bell, A Larkin, T Howe; D Humphreys, B Free; J Fitzpatrick, P Shields, S Best; J Davidson, G Longwell; D Allen, T McWhirter, A Ward (capt).