MAGNERS LEAGUE: Ulster v Llanelli Scarlets -WITH THEIR reputation hardening around the Celtic regions following their win over Munster 12-6 just after Christmas, Connacht should feel bullish about the visit of Llanelli Scarlets to the Sportsground tonight.
Coach Michael Bradley has made five changes to his side, with Gavin Duffy coming into fullback, pushing Fionn Carr onto the right wing. Keith Matthews returns to inside centre after a bout of the flu, while Brett Wilkinson and Seán Cronin come into the frontrow. Ray Ofisa, who is also back from injury, starts at openside flanker.
Scarlets arrive having won two of their three festive season matches and are seeking to complete a double over Connacht.
But coach Nigel Davies' team appears a little light, especially behind the scrum, due to long-term absentees such as Gavin Evans, Rob Higglitt, Dafydd James and Daniel Evans.
Outhalf Stephen Jones was also laid low with a bug earlier in the week and only trained on Thursday, so he starts the match on the bench, which denies the Scarlets their most potent kicker, while Wales wing Mark Jones will not make the trip as he recovers from an appendix operation this week.
Connacht have won three of their last four Magners League matches at home, but have lost all three of their games against Welsh sides.
The Scarlets' only win in their last five visits to Ireland was 16-9 at Ulster in late September, so they too are looking to break an unwanted streak.
"Connacht is a tough place to go," said Scarlet's coach Davies. "It's a small field, normally windy and they play a basic game very well. They'll be as physical as ever and they'll kick for territory, so we will have to manage that."
With outhalf Ian Keatley performing the kicking duties with aplomb, and with the physical element of the Connacht game still evident against Leinster last weekend in Dublin, Connacht doubtlessly present a difficult package.
There will be few raised eyebrows if Bradley et al pull off another win.
CONNACHT:G Duffy; F Carr, N Ta'auso, K Matthews, L Bibo; I Keatly, F Murphy; B Wilkinson, S Cronin, R Morris, M McCarthy, A Farley, J Muldoon (capt), R Ofisa, C Rigney. Replacements: A Flavin, R Loughney, M Swift, A Browne, K Campbell, A Dunne, M Deane.
SCARLETS:M Stoddart; D Daniel, R King, J Davies, G Morris; R Priestland, M Roberts; P John, M Rees, D Manu; D Day, V Cooper, S Easterby (capt), J Edwards, D Lyons. Replacements: I Thomas, K Owens, L Reed, Y N'Gog, G Cattle, D Jones, S Jones.
Referee:J Jones (Wales).
Last meeting:(Stradey Park) 45-3.
Top scorers:I Keatley (Connacht) 64 pts; S Jones (Scarlets) 82 pts; F Carr (Connacht) 3 tries; M Roberts, M Stoddart (Scarlets) 3 tries.
Verdict:Home win.
