THERE ARE four teams sitting on one win from three in the Pro12 league and Connacht are among them. It’s far too early in the season for Eric Elwood to become exercised about ladder position but the old adage of points on the table is surely running through the coach’s mind after last week’s defeat by four tries to one against Scarlets.
This week’s opponents Glasgow, courtesy of a notable opening 28-10 win against reigning champions Ospreys, have the same win-lose stats as Connacht but are two places above the Irish side.
In the spirit of rotation and injuries Elwood has made eight changes to the team that ran out last week, while Glasgow will have to manage without their influential Scotland scrumhalf Chris Cusiter. Glasgow confirmed yesterday the 30-year-old has been ruled out until December after dislocating his shoulder in last Friday’s match. He will also miss Scotland’s autumn international series.
If stats mean anything Glasgow will be waiting for Connacht’s arrival with some anticipation. Their only victory in the last six Pro12 meetings with Irish provinces was 24-3 against Connacht in the equivalent fixture last season. To make it worse, Connacht have won just once in Scotland since 2006. The one crumb of comfort is the win was against Glasgow in Firhill in 2010.
In the Connacht backline Mark McCrea and James Loxton replace Fetu’u Vainikolo and Tiernan O’Halloran on the wings, with Matthew Jarvis coming in to scrumhalf for the rotated Miah Nikora.
Outside centre Robbie Henshaw is given his first start after making a big impact from the bench in all three games so far. The 19-year-old replaces Eoin Griffin, who is nursing an ankle injury. Alongside Dave McSharry, who starts inside Henshaw, Connacht are road-testing a younger-looking centre pairing.
Hooker Adrian Flavin, who last week celebrated his 100th league appearance, replaces Ethienne Reynecke and joins a strong looking frontrow of Brett Wilkinson and former Leinster prop Nathan White.
George Naoupu, who started at number eight against Cardiff Blues and Zebre, moves forward to the secondrow alongside Dave Gannon, who gains his first start after three consecutive weeks coming on from the bench. Ulsterman Willie Faloon, who made his Connacht starting debut last weekend, figures in an all-new backrow trio which sees Johnny O’Connor move from open to blindside flanker.
“Glasgow are riding high following their win against the reigning champions Ospreys last week. One of their biggest strengths has always been that they are a huge, hard-working defensive team and have a solid set piece,” said Elwood.
“Tomorrow will be a challenge for us as we’re quite thin on the ground with injuries. But we have some huge talent coming up through the ranks and this is a great opportunity to give some of the younger guys a good run-out.”
GLASGOW: P Murchie; S lamont, A Dunbar, P Horne, DTH van der Merwe; D Weir, H Pyrgos; R Grant, D Hall, M Low, T Ryder, A Kellock (capt) J Eddie, J Barclay, R Wilson. Replacements: F Gillies, M Cusack, G Reid, T Swinson, A MacDonald, S Kennedy, S Wight, T Nathan.
CONNACHT: G Duffy (capt); J Loxton, R Henshaw, D McSharry, M McCrea; M Jarvis, K Marmion; B Wilkinson, A Flavin, N White, G Naoupu, D Gannon, J O’Connor, W Faloon, E McKeon. Replacements: K O’Byrne, D Buckley, R Ah You, M Swift, M Kearney, D Moore, J Carty, M Fafita.
Referee: Alain Rolland (IRFU).
Verdict: Glasgow.
