Connacht v Llanelli:Llanelli are enthusiastically telling anyone who wants to listen that they are the best team in the Magners League, having secured 20 league points from their last six matches.
That they are in third place suggests they were not always the best team and their boast also seems to overlook the 15-13 defeat to Dragons on New Year's Day, a result that cost them the top slot in the league table. But certainly they travel to Galway tonight with confidence.
Injuries are still affecting the squad, Rhys Priestland maintaining the key outhalf position as Stephen Jones recovers from his thumb injury. Liam Davies is at scrumhalf in place of the injured Dwayne Peel, prop Phil John replaces Iestyn Thomas, who incurred an eye injury during the Dragons fixture, and Lock Adam Eustace comes in for Vernon Cooper, who received a knock in the same match.
The stalwart of the team is the centre Regan King, who, on account of his consistently first-class performances, has played every minute of every match so far this season.
Connacht have made five personnel changes as well as one positional switch to their starting line-up. The former Ireland wing Matt Mostyn is set to start his first game for the province since November 2006 as he is named on the right, while Mel Deane has overcome the arm injury he picked up against Newcastle Falcons last month to take his place at inside centre.
Aidan Wynne moves to the left wing in place of the injured Ofisa Treviranus. In the pack, captain Andrew Farley starts once again in the second row while Colm Rigney is named at number eight in place of the injured John Muldoon.
Michael Swift has recovered earlier than expected from a knee injury and has been included among the replacements. John Hearty (hip), John Muldoon (back), Treviranus (leg), Keith Matthews (calf) and Liam Bibo (calf) are ruled out of contention by injury.
Once again Connacht are looking for something that will put distance between themselves and struggling Ulster, who are below them on the table on points difference.
Even a bonus point would give them an edge as they seek qualification for the Heineken European Cup next season. A bonus point is a possibility but a home win seems highly unlikely this time.
CONNACHT: G Duffy; M Mostyn, D Riordan, M Deane, A Wynne; A Dunne, C O'Loughlin; B Wilkinson, A Flavin, R Morris; D Gannon, A Farley (capt); M McCarthy, J O'Connor, C Rigney. Replacements: J Fogarty, R Loughney, M Swift, R Ofisa, C McPhillips, T Donnelly, D Yapp.
LLANELLI: M Stoddard; D James, M Watkins, R King, M Jones; R Priestland, L Davies; P John, M Rees, B Douglas; A Eustace, S McLeod; S Easterby (capt), J Bater, N Thomas. Replacements: (from) D Manu, J Hayter, D Jones, J Edwards, G Cattle, C Thomas, N Brew, G Evans, D George.
Referee: A McPherson (SRU).
Verdict: Llanelli win.
Sportsground
