Celtic League Preview/Connacht v Gwent: As hangovers go this is as heavy as they get. Just six days after playing one the biggest, and most heartbreaking, games in the history of the province a revamped Connacht must entertain Gwent Dragons at the Sportsground today.
Gwent, who are hoping to name Declan Kidney as their new coach in the coming days, have a wealth of talent in their ranks, including former Springbok greats Percy Montgomery and Bobby Skinstad.
The Welsh side have been the most consistent in the league this year but are still in third spot, due to the ability of Llanelli and Ulster to score more bonus points.
If they are to become the first Welsh side to win the competition they will need a comprehensive victory this afternoon.
Incoming Welsh national coach Mike Ruddock had a relatively injury-free squad to select from, although hooker Paul Young (knee) and Ross Beattie (thigh) will miss out on proceedings this afternoon.
Connacht retain just six of the starting line-up from last Sunday's second-leg win over Harlequins in the Parker Pen semi-final. Matt Mostyn has recovered from injury and will start at full back, Ted Robinson and Shane Moore come in at wing and centre respectively, while Conor O'Loughlin will partner Eric Elwood at halfback.
In the forwards, Adrian Clarke and hooker John Fogarty come into the front row, with a completely new back row of Paul Neville, Tom Carter and Mick Carroll.
Like Munster and Leinster, Connacht will lack for incentive this weekend, which should give the Dragons the edge.
CONNACHT: M Mostyn; T Robinson, D Yapp, S Moore, C McPhillips; E Elwood, C O'Loughlin; A Clarke, J Fogarty, P Bracken; D Browne, A Farley; P Neville, T Carter, M Carroll. Replacements: B Jackman, D McFarland, M McCarthy, J O'Sullivan, M Walls, D Hewitt, M McHugh.
GWENT DRAGONS: S Tuipulotu; N Brew, P Montgomery, A Marinos (capt), H Luscombe; C Warlow, G Baber; A Black, S Jones/K Crawford, C Anthony; I Gough P Sidoli; B Skinstad, J Forster, M Owen. Replacements: K Crawford/AN Other, R Snow, R Thomas, J Ringer, R Jones, S Winn/L Jarvis, B Breeze.
Referee: A Ireland (Scotland).
