Injuries delay Connacht selection

CONNACHT coach Michael Bradley has been forced to name a 25-strong squad for Saturday’s Celtic Cup semi-final against Edinburgh at the Sportsground in Galway (2pm).

Coach Bradley awaits progress reports on a few injured players before naming his side today. His main worries are Eric Elwood, Bernard Jackman and Fabian Boiroux, who are suffering from leg, ankle and back injuries, respectively.

This game is seen as a huge opportunity for Connacht to send their detractors to “hell” and boost their battle for long-term survival. The Connacht Branch are asking for a show of goodwill and have opened a special email address ([e-mail]) to allow fans express support.

Messages can also be faxed to 091-560097 More than anything, the Branch hopes fans will come out in big numbers for, arguably, the biggest game ever played by the province. The winners will meet Ulster or Glasgow in the final. Gates will be open from 12 noon and there will again be a variety of free activities for children, who will again be admitted free. The revamped Sportsground will provide an opportunity for people to sample the new facilities.

These include ample car parking, fast food and full bar and restaurant facilities, along with covered accommodation in the new stand.

Meanwhile, still reeling from their shock defeat by Connacht last week, Ulster coach Alan Solomons has included new signing Paul Steinmetz in the team for the second semi-final against Glasgow at Hughenden tomorrow night (7.30).

Tyrone Howe, Ireland’s World Cup replacement for the injured Denis Hickie, is named on the left wing.

The pack remains unchanged although there is a question mark over the fitness of second row Matt Mustchin who took a knock to his leg last week.

The Ulster medical staff feel his prospects of recovery are good although Gary Longwell will travel with the squad as a 23rd player. If Mustchin is not fit, Frost will move to the starting line-up with Longwell coming onto the bench.

Simon Best and Neil Doak, who returned from Australia with the Irish squad yesterday, have been named on the bench. Ronan McCormack is being rested, having struggled with an ankle injury over the past couple of weeks.

Paddy Wallace is not named in the side and will turn out for Ballymena on Saturday to get some game-time under his belt, and should Doak feature for less than 30 minutes tomorrow night he too will play on Saturday for his club against Dolphin in Cork.

ULSTER: B. Cunningham, J. Topping, R. Constable, P. Steinmetz, T. Howe, A. Larkin, K. Campbell, B. Young, M. Sexton, R. Moore, M. Mustchin, M. McCullough, A. Ward (captain), N. Best, T. McWhirter.

Replacements. P. Shields, S. Best, R. Frost, R. Wilson, N. Doak, S. Stewart, S. Young.

CONNACHT (from): T. Allnutt, H. Bourke, F. Boiroux, D. Browne, T. Carter, A. Clarke, E. Elwood, A. Farley, J. Fogarty, D. Hewitt, R. Hogan, B. Jackman, M. McCarthy, D. McFarland, M. McHugh, C. McPhillips, S. Moore, M. Mostyn, J. O’Sullivan, W. Munn, P. Neville, C. O’Loughlin, M. Swift, M. Walls, D. Yapp.