MAGNERS LEAGUE: Connacht v Edinburgh:CONNACHT HAVE signed Saracens and former Golden Lions hooker Ethienne Reynecke on a two-year deal to replace the Leinster-bound Seán Cronin. The 29-year-old has been understudying fellow South African Schalk Brits at the English club for the past two seasons.
Connacht coach Eric Elwood pointed out: “With Seán moving on at the end of the season we needed cover at hooker and we are very pleased to sign a player of Ethienne’s calibre, especially in such a crucial position. He is an experienced player who we are confident can offer a lot to Connacht.”
Tonight’s game against Edinburgh marks the 100th appearance of centre Keith Matthews in the green jersey since joining from Munster in 2005. He admitted: “It’s taken a while to get to this milestone; I’ve had a few injuries along the way. I damaged my cruciate ligament against Munster in ’07 and was out for nine months so that didn’t help but I’m delighted to reach 100 caps for Connacht, it’s a huge personal achievement.”
The 28-year-old played for the Ireland Under-21 side, forming a dynamic midfield partnership with Barry Murphy and in 2009 played an appreciable role in helping Ireland win the Churchill Cup. He would love to mark the occasion by adding to the 14 tries he’s scored for the province.
Hooker Adrian Flavin could also become a centurion for Connacht – he joined from London Irish in 2006 – if he makes an appearance from the bench.
Edinburgh arrive in Galway on foot of an excellent 23-17 victory over the Ospreys last weekend but are without hooker Ross Ford and prop Allan Jacobsen, who will not play again this season on the orders of Scotland coach Andy Robinson – he consulted with the national team doctor James Robson – who wants them in peak condition heading towards the World Cup.
Chris Paterson is also out as he enjoys a two-week sabbatical from the game but the visitors boast the tournament’s leading try scorer with 12, Tim Visser, rugby’s eponymous Flying Dutchman.
Elwood has done a superb job at the province in his first season, an achievement he’d dearly love to sustain all the way to the final game: starting with tonight’s.
CONNACHT:G Duffy; B Tuohy, T Nathan, K Matthews, F Carr; I Keatley, F Murphy; R Loughney, S Cronin, J Hagan; M McCarthy, B Upton; A Browne, J O'Connor, R Ofisa. Replacements:A Flavin, B Wilkinson, R Ah You, M McComish, J Muldoon, M Dolan, E Griffin, S Monahan.
EDINBURGH:J Thompson; S Webster, B Cairns, J King, T Visser; G Laidlaw, M Blair, K Traynor, A Kelly (capt), G Cross; S MacLeod, E Lozada; F McKenzie, S Newlands, D Denton. Replacements:A Walker, L Niven, R Hislop, S Turnbull, R Grant, D Blair, N De Luca, L Jones.
Referee:Carlo Damasco (Italy).
Leading points scorers:Connacht: Ian Keatley 188. Edinburgh: Chris Paterson 105.
Leading try scorers:Connacht: Fionn Carr, Brian Tuohy 5 each. Edinburgh: Tim Visser 12.
Verdict:Connacht to win.
