Connacht primed for real test

THE IMPORTANCE of last weekend’s victory 30-17 away to Zebre cannot be overestimated in providing a confidence fillip for the home side as they take on the current Pro 12 leaders, the Scarlets.

The margin on the scoreboard in Italy was distorted a little by a late Connacht breakaway try but there were elements of the performance that will have pleased Connacht coach Eric Elwood going forward.

He admitted: “We played well in Zebre scoring three tries away from home and securing our first win of the season. The lads showed huge character in Italy, especially when we were forced into making so many changes in the second half.

“Today poses another challenge as Scarlets are top of the league and are playing very well. They’ve had a great start to the season, scoring 10 tries in the process. We will really have to step it up against this Scarlets side but the lads are well up for the challenge.”

They’ll need to be. Elwood makes six changes, five in the pack for the visit of the Welsh team, coached by former Ireland international Simon Easterby. There is a new backrow in Andrew Browne – happily restored to full fitness after a long-term injury – Willie Faloon and promising number eight Eoin McKeon.

New Zealander Nathan White makes his first competitive start at tighthead prop while on the other side of the frontrow, Brett Wilkinson returns.

There is one change in the backline where Dave McSharry will partner Eoin Griffin in midfield.

Easterby has chosen a team that blends youth and experience making several changes from the side that beat the Glasgow Warriors last weekend.

Jordan Williams is handed a debut at fullback, albeit in a backline that contains the attacking potency of George North, Scott Williams and captain, Jonathan Davies.

The wonderfully named Samson Lee gets a first start at tighthead prop while the bench includes the Australian and Welsh qualified secondrow Jake Ball, Wales hooker Ken Owens and Scarlets captain, Rob McCusker.

The last six matches between these teams have been won by the home side; if Connacht could maintain that sequence it would be a notable achievement.

As the Scarlets demonstrated when they got front-foot ball against Leinster – the Irish province was without their frontline players – they possess an admirable cutting edge to attacking patterns that are to be admired.

The Welsh side have hit their stride early in the tournament and appear to be a little further down the road in terms of consistency and quality at this juncture: that should be represented in another victory.

CONNACHT: G Duffy (capt); T O’Halloran, E Griffin, D McSharry, F Vainikolo; M Nikora; K Marmion; B Wilkinson, E Reynecke, N White; M Swift, M McCarthy; A Browne, W Faloon, E McKeon. Replacements: A Flavin, R Ah You, D Buckley, D Gannon, J O’Connor, D Moore, M Jarvis, R Henshaw.

SCARLETS: J Williams; G North, J Davies (capt), S Williams, N Reynolds; R Priestland, G Davies: P John, M Rees, S Lee; S Timani, R Kelly; J Turnbull, J Edwards, K Murphy. Replacements: K Owens, P Edwards, D Manu, J Ball, R McCusker, A Davies, A Thomas, G Maule.

Referee: Neil Patterson (Scotland).

Verdict: Scarlets to win