Celtic League Preview: After the highs of their recent European odyssey, Connacht return to the relative bread and butter of the Celtic League when they play the Celtic Warriors this evening.

Currently lying eighth, Connacht must maintain their European form if they are to improve their standing as the league approaches its halfway point.

Despite having lost their last two outings in this campaign - the 3-0 defeat to Munster and the away loss to Newport Gwent Dragons - Connacht are growing in confidence thanks to their European heroics, but they will be severely tested by a Welsh side smarting from their failure to qualify for the Heineken Cup quarter-finals and now viewing the Celtic League as a means to salvage some silverware.

Warriors boast 10 World Cup squad members, in addition to Wales's favourite outhalf, Neil Jenkins, who in the absence of inter national Ceri Sweeney has rattled up the highest number of points in the league.

Connacht coach Michael Bradley has made several changes for this evening.

Rested, but on the bench, are Eric Elwood, Conor O'Loughlin, Bernard Jackman, Tim Allnutt, and Damien Browne, while Ted Robinson, Dave Hewitt, Chris Keane, Mike McCarthy, John Fogarty, and Warren O'Kelly all get to start. Matt Lacey, originally named as number eight, is a late withdrawal and so John O'Sullivan returns to action, with Tom Carter on the bench.Not considered due to injury was prop Dan McFarland.

Bradley says the return to the Celtic League means a readjustment of objectives and adds the "intensive" weeks of European rugby, as well as the new-year fixture against Munster, have been tiring for his players, which is why all squad members will get opportunities to play in the Celtic League.

CONNACHT: M Mostyn; T Robinson, D Yapp, M McHugh, C McPhillips; D Hewitt, C Keane; W O'Kelly, J Fogarty, A Clarke, M McCarthy, A Farley, M Swift, P Neville, J O'Sullivan. Replacements: B Jackman, P Bracken, D Browne, T Carter, C O'Loughlin, E Elwood, T Allnutt.