MAGNERS LEAGUE - Dragons V Connacht:CONNACHT HAVE made just one change to the side that lost to Ulster in Belfast last Friday night for their final away match to Newport Gwent Dragons. Troy Nathan starts for the first time at outhalf for Andy Dunne, whose place-kicking was wayward in difficult conditions at Ravenhill Road.
Nathan came on as a second-half substitute for Dunne when the number 10 missed his third kick from four attempts. Had Connacht taken those chances the game against Ulster may very well had a different complexion.
Michael Bradley and his side take on the Dragons at Rodney Parade tonight in the knowledge that they have not won there in the last seven meetings.
Their most recent success was a 16-14 win back in September 2001. Not much history there to instil confidence.
The home side make five changes for the Irish team's visit. Ceri Sweeney returns to outhalf, Paul Emerick replaces injured centre Ashley Smith and Martyn Thomas comes in at fullback with Kevin Morgan moving to the bench. In the pack Adam Black returns pending a fitness test and Michael Owen replaces Jamie Ringer at number eight.
Connacht continue to prop up the bottom with 16 points, while Newport's 24 points keeps them level with second from bottom Ulster.
The home side haven't won in their last five matches, however, and that goes back to January. They have also just won once at Rodney Parade since last October, so they are as desperate for the win as Connacht, who haven't won anywhere in Wales since 2004.
NEWPORT:M Thomas; G Wyatt, P Emerick, R Gomer-Davies, R Mustoe; C Sweeney, A Williams; A Black/D Pattison, S Jones, R Thomas, A Jones, L Charteris, C Charvis, J Bearman, M Owen. Replacements: B Daly, D Pattison/L Harrison, A Hall, J Ringer, J Tovey, K Morgan.
CONNACHT:G Duffy; M Mostyn, M Deane, K Matthews, D Riordan; T Nathan, C McPhillips; B Wilkinson, A Flavin, R Morris; D Gannon, A Farley; J Muldoon, J O'Connor, C Rigney. Replacements: J Fogarty, R Loughney, A Browne, L Casserly, R Shaw, A Dunne, D Yapp.
Referee:N Paterson (Scotland)
Verdict:Connacht win.
Venue:Rodney Parade.
Kick-off:7.10.
