Connacht coach Eric Elwood rallied his side for tonight’s clash with Cardiff Blues by urging them to show the spirit they showed in Europe this season.

CONNACHT bid to end a miserable run of form away to Aironi this afternoon.

Eric Elwood has made a number of changes following his side’s narrow defeat to Leinster for the visit to the Stadio Zaffenella to play Aironi tomorrow (4.35pm).

Connacht will have to cope without winger Brian Tuohy and flanker Johnny O'Connor for some time, with the pair due to undergo surgery.

A BROKEN nose to hooker Richardt Strauss is the only injury in the Leinster camp from last night’s joust with Connacht at the Sportsground, but coach Joe Schmidt is expected to make a host of changes ahead of next week’s visit to Cardiff.

Connacht 13 Leinster 15

EUROPEAN champions Leinster travel west tomorrow for what, on paper, looks likely to be a New Year ramble at the Galway Sportsground.

A competitive debut for Mick Kearney represents one of five changes Eric Elwood has made to the Connacht starting XV for the visit of Leinster to the Sportsground this New Year's Day (5pm).

Ballymena took the spoils in a hotly-contested Ulster derby at Eaton Park, holding on to beat Ballynahinch 6-3 and leapfrog them at the top of Ulster Bank League Division 1B.

Connacht 6 Ospreys 17

Connacht coach Eric Elwood has made three changes for the team to face the Ospreys in tomorrows RaboDirect Pro12 clash at the Sportsground (k.o. 6.30pm).

Connacht coach Eric Elwood has made just one change to the starting XV that narrowly lost out to Harlequins for tomorrow evening's meeting with Toulouse in the Sportsground (kick-off 6pm).

Harlequins 25 Connacht 17

Eric Elwood has made six changes to the Connacht starting XV that will take on Ulster tomorrow evening in Ravenhill (5.35pm) from the team that lost to Cardiff.

Connacht Rugby have announced a 27-man squad ahead of this Saturday's inter-Provincial clash with Ulster.

Connacht Rugby have announced an extended squad ahead of this weekend's RaboDirect PRO12 clash against Cardiff Blues.

MANY of Leinster’s Irish Internationals intend to take out their World Cup frustrations on Edinburgh in the seventh round of the RaboDirect Pro 12 at the end of the month.

Leinster 30 Connacht 20

Connacht 17 Newport Gwent Dragons 13

Danny Barnes returns to the Munster side for the RaboDirect PRO12 game against Cardiff Blues at the Cardiff City Stadium tomorrow night (7.05pm).

Gavin Duffy will lead Connacht for the first time against Treviso on Saturday, having been unveiled as the club’s new captain earlier this week.

Captain John Muldoon is one of three players Connacht coach Eric Elwood has brought in as his side prepare to take on an Ireland XV at Donnybrook this evening.

Connacht Rugby have continued their recruitment drive for next season by securing the services of Harlequins scrum-half David Moore for next season.

Connacht coach Eric Elwood has named his team for Friday night’s Magners League game against Cardiff Blues, kick-off 7.45pm.

Connacht coach Eric Elwood has today announced his side for Friday night’s Magners League match against the Cardiff Blues at the Sportsground, kick-off 7.45pm.

A RIP-ROARING contest that could have gone either way before Connacht atoned for their slip-up in Italy to record their sixth home win on the trot.

Keith Matthews will celebrate his 100th cap when he lines out for Connacht for tomorrow night’s Magners League against Edinburgh at the Sportground (kick-off 7.45pm).

Connacht coach Eric Elwood has named his side for Saturday’s Magners League match against Aironi at the Stadio Zaffanella, kick-off 4.30pm.

Connacht coach Eric Elwood has named his side for Friday’s Magners League meeting with Aironi at the Sportsground, kick-off 7.35pm.

CONNACHT climbed into eighth place in the Magners League table after securing a third successive win at the Galway Sportsground last night.

Connacht 31 Treviso 25

REPLACEMENT hooker Mefin Davies sealed the Ospreys a bonus point victory with a try five minutes into injury time to give the region their third successive Magners League win.

Ospreys 33 Connacht 18

Connacht coach Eric Elwood has named his team for Sunday’s Magners League clash with the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium, kick-off 2.40pm.

WITH only their second try bonus point this season, Connacht produced a five-try blitz to dispose of the Glasgow Warriors at the Galway Sportsground last night.

Connacht 37 Glasgow 8

Connacht coach Eric Elwood has named his side for tomorrow evening’s Magners League game against the Glasgow Warriors at the Sportsground in Galway, kick-off 7pm.

Connacht coach Eric Elwood has named his side for Saturday’s Magners League match with the Scarlets at the Sportsground in Galway, kick-off 7.35pm.

Connacht coach Eric Elwood has named his side for tomorrow's Amlin Challenge Cup game with Cavalieri Prato at the Sportsgrounds, kick-off 6pm.

Connacht coach Eric Elwood has named his side for Thursday’s Magners League match with Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade (kick-off 7.35pm).

Leinster coach Joe Schmidt has named his side for Saturday’s Magners League derby with Connacht at the RDS. (kick-off 5.30pm)

Former Munster player Keith Matthews will captain Connacht for their St Stephen’s Day Magners League meeting with league leaders Munster at the Sportsground in Galway. (kick-off 6.10pm)

WITH Connacht’s European hopes all but over for this season, coach Eric Elwood is looking for a much-needed victory to restore some confidence in his side.

Connacht coach Eric Elwood has announced his side for Friday night’s Amlin Challenge Cup game against Harlequins at the Sportsgrounds (kick-off 7pm).