Tired Connacht likely to struggle

Glasgow v Connacht: This represents a huge game for Michael Bradley's Connacht, as they trail tonight's opponents on points' difference, fifth and sixth in the table respectively. The physical onslaught - much of it illegal - suffered against Montpellier in last weekend's European Challenge Cup match will have to have taken its toll on Connacht.

They are able to rejuvenate their team somewhat with a couple of changes which see Justin Meagher and Christian Short introduced, while Tom Tierney and Niall O'Brien have recovered from injury to take their places on the bench.

Sean Lamont, Glasgow's Scotland wing, and his younger brother, Rory, will play together in a Celtic League match for the first time tomorrow as the pair have been named on the wings.

Glasgow have made three changes in personnel from the team which started in the 38-22 defeat at the Llanelli Scarlets in the European Cup last Sunday.

Two of the changes are in the back division. Rory Lamont replaces Gareth Maclure, and Glasgow Hawks' Colin Shaw returns at full back for Kenny Logan, the Scotland cap who had to have hospital treatment after a head-on collision with David Hodges in the Stradey Park game. It will be Shaw's third start, the former Scotland under-21 cap having played against Llanelli and Leinster.

In the only change in the pack Scott Lawson starts at hooker in place of Gordon Bulloch, Scotland's captain in last month's Tests. Dan Parks, Scotland's outhalf in the autumn Tests, returns as a replacement. Glasgow have won their last three home league matches, against Ulster, The Borders and Llanelli.

Glasgow's record at home in this competition is pretty good and given the tough nature of recent fixtures for the visitors, Connacht may come a cropper tonight.

GLASGOW: C Shaw; R Lamont, G Morrison, A Henderson, S Lamont; C Howarth, G Beveridge; K Tkachuk, S Lawson, E Murray; A Hall, D Turner; A Wilson, J Petrie (capt), D Macfadyen. Replacements: G Bulloch, A Kelly, J Beardshaw, J Beattie, S Pinder, D Parks, G Maclure.

CONNACHT: M Mostyn; J Meagher, P Warwick, J Downey, C McPhillips; E Elwood, C Keane; R Hogan, B Jackman, S Knoop; C Short, A Farley; M Swift, J O'Sullivan, J Muldoon. Replacements: J Fogarty, A Clarke, P Myburgh, B O'Connor, T Tierney, T Robinson, N O'Brien.

Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU).

Previous meetings: December 2001 (CL quarter-final) at Sportsground: Connacht 29 Glasgow Rugby 34. October 2002 (CL) at Hughenden: Glasgow Rugby 29 Connacht 7. September 2003 (CL) at Hughenden: Glasgow Rugby 19 Connacht 30. February 2004 (CL) at Sportsground: Connacht 28 Glasgow Rugby 28. September 2004 (CL) at Sportsground: Connacht 31 Glasgow Rugby 15.

Leading points scorers: Glasgow - Dan Parks 91. Connacht - Paul Warwick 83.

Leading try scorers: Glasgow - Kenny Logan 4. Connacht - Matt Mostyn, Conor O'Loughlin 3 each.

Verdict: Glasgow.