Divided loyalties for Gatland

WASPS coach Warren Gatland is keeping a close eye on the build-up to the Connacht-Harlequins Parker Pen Cup semi-final in Galway on Sunday.

Gatland earned his coaching spurs at Galwegians and then Connacht, before moving on to Ireland and Wasps. He enjoyed his stay in the West but has to be cautious in discussing Sunday’s game because Harlequins are close neighbours of Wasps in London.

“I’d love Connacht to do well but it’s hard for me, having a close relationship with ’Quins as well,” he observed.

“It would be great for Connacht to play in the Heineken Cup. With Fuga banned and 6,000 people in the Sportsground and with a bit of dog poo around the place, I’m not sure the ’Quins boys will enjoy it too much.”

Connacht coach Michael Bradley makes one change for the second leg, with Peter Bracken replacing Adrian Clarke at tight-head prop.

Harlequins make four changes. In the backs both Mel Deane and Paul Burke return after injury, while in the pack Pat Sanderson is back from injury and James Hayter starts at hooker in place of the suspended Tani Fuga.

Harlequins chief executive Mark Evans said: “The first leg at The Stoop was every bit as difficult as we expected. Connacht have a tremendous pack of forwards and some very clever backs who are more than capable of creating try-scoring opportunities. On top of that, there are two good goal-kickers in Eric Elwood and Mark McHugh. They will no doubt have a very vociferous support at their home ground.”

But he warned: “We have the nine-point advantage and we know if we play to the best of our ability, we have every chance of winning the game and progressing to the final.”

CONNACHT (v Harlequins, Sunday, Showgrounds, 1pm). M Mostyn, C McPhillips, D Yapp, M McHugh, W Munn, E Elwood, M Walls; D McFarland, B Jackman (capt.), P Bracken, D Browne, A Farley, M Swift, M Lacey, J O’Sullivan.

Replacements: J Fogarty, A Clarke, M McCarthy, P Neville, C O’Loughlin, S Moore, T Robinson.

HARLEQUINS: G Duffy; G Harder, W Greenwood, M Deane, U Monye; P Burke, S Keogh; C Jones, J Hayter, J Dawson, K Rudzki, S Miall, P Sanderson, A Vos (capt.), T Diprose.

Replacements: C Dott, L Gomez, M Worsley, B Davison, L Sherriff, B Willis, A Dunne.

Referee: N Whitehouse (Wales).