Tadgh McElroy and Sean O'Brien set for Connacht debuts

Tadgh McElroy and Seán O’Brien have been handed their first Connacht starts in Saturday’s clash away to Edinburgh.

Head coach Pete Wilkins has made eight changes from the side which beat Ulster. A victory over Edinburgh would make it four opening wins in a row.

The last time Connacht opened with four wins was back in 2002.

"Tomorrow marks the beginning of an important few weeks for us” said head coach Pete Wilkins.

“We've made a good start with the three home wins but now need to keep that form going away from home, starting in Scotland tomorrow”.

“Edinburgh away is always a tough test and this game will be no different” explained Wilkins.

“For us it was important to find a balance in our selection. Rewarding recent performances, whilst also providing an opportunity to those players who have narrowly missed out in previous weeks”.

“Above all else it's a 23 that I believe can get the win, if we play to our strengths and take our opportunities when they come."

Carty captains the side

Tom Daly and John Porch make their first appearances of the season Daly partners Byron Ralston who moves from the wing to outside centre.

Andrew Smith comes in on the left wing, with Porch on the right and Tiernan O’Halloran retained at full-back. Jack Carty again captains the side with scrum-half Caolin Blade alongside him.

The front row sees Peter Dooley come in alongside McElroy and Jack Aungier. Whereas, the Murray brothers Niall and Darragh are paired together in the second row.

The starting line-up is completed by flankers Cian Prendergast and Seán O’Brien.

The bench includes the fit-again JJ Hanrahan, while Sam Illo could also feature for the first time this season.

Connacht: 15. Tiernan O’Halloran, 14. John Porch, 13. Byron Ralston, 12. Tom Daly, 11. Andrew Smith 10. Jack Carty (C), 9. Caolin Blade, 1. Peter Dooley, 2. Tadgh McElroy, 3. Jack Aungier, 4. Niall Murray, 5. Darragh Murray, 6. Cian Prendergast, 7. Conor Oliver, 8. Seán O’Brien.

Replacements: 16. Dylan Tierney-Martin, 17. Jordan Duggan, 18. Sam Illo, 19. Joe Joyce, 20. Jarrad Butler, 21. Colm Reilly, 22. David Hawkshaw, 23. JJ Hanrahan