Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins has made four changes to the side to face Cardiff.
Indeed, Connacht saw off Bristol Bears in their last outing and beat Munster in their last URC fixture.
Dave Heffernan, Jack Aungier, Conor Oliver and the fit-again Cathal Forde coming into the starting 15.
Indeed, Forde partners David Hawkshaw in the centre. Whereas, the back three of full-back Tiernan O’Halloran and wingers Shayne Bolton and Andrew Smith is un-changed.
Caolin Blade captains the side from scrum-half with JJ Hanrahan alongside him. Denis Buckley plays alongside Heffernan and Aungier in the front row, while the second row of Niall Murray and Joe Joyce is unchanged.
The backrow sees Cian Prendergast move to the number eight jersey. Whereas, Shamus Hurley-Langton goes to blindside flanker and Oliver at openside.
Wilkins happy with break
“The break was helpful for a number of reasons” explained head coach Pete Wilkins. ”Both in terms of giving the group some down-time after 13 straight weeks, and then allowing us the time to put in some good training sessions and work on the areas we’d like to improve on”.
“Coupled with the return of a few players back from injury, everyone’s really positive about the next block of games starting tomorrow”.
“We’ve had some close battles with Cardiff down the years and historically they’re one of the teams we’re competing with for a playoff spot, so we fully appreciate the importance of the game”.
“If we play to our strengths and take the opportunities when they come, it’ll give us a great chance to come home with the win.”
Connacht: 15. Tiernan O’Halloran, 14. Shayne Bolton, 13. David Hawkshaw, 12. Cathal Forde, 11. Andrew Smith, 10. JJ Hanrahan, 9. Caolin Blade (C), 1. Denis Buckley, 2. Dave Heffernan, 3. Jack Aungier, 4. Niall Murray, 5. Joe Joyce, 6. Shamus Hurley-Langton, 7. Conor Oliver, 8. Cian Prendergast.
Replacements: 16. Tadgh McElroy, 17. Peter Dooley, 18. Sam Illo, 19. Oisín Dowling, 20. Jarrad Butler, 21. Michael McDonald, 22. Jack Carty, 23. Tom Farrell
Connacht v Cardiff
Cardiff Arms Park,
Saturday 17th February, Kick-off: 17:15.
