Bath clash crucial for Connacht

CONNACHT’S hopes of qualifying as pool leader in their European Challenge Cup campaign rest on the result of tomorrow afternoon’s clash with former Heineken Cup winners Bath (2.30pm).

Having lost to Harlequins in their opener at the Galway Sportsground last weekend, Connacht cannot afford to let another victory slip if they are to top pool 5 for automatic qualification for the quarter-finals.

At this stage few would expect Connacht to leave the Rec with the necessary points, but with the likelihood that scoring difference could become a factor in the fight for a runners-up spot, Connacht will need to ensure they get something from this contest.

“We qualified last year with two losses but we did pick up bonus points along the way. It is possible to qualify, but I suspect we will have to beat Bath at least once and Harlequins in London,” says Connacht’s Michael Bradley.

Bath, favourites for the automatic qualifying berth and one of three sides tipped to win the tournament outright, currently enjoy a superior points difference over Harlequins after taking the hard-fought points in Montpellier.

They have made a number of changes for this afternoon’s second fixture with seven internationals in the starting XV. England international Rob Fidler returns to the side after a short injury lay-off in the place of Danny Grewcock. Both Grewcock and Lee Mears, who are on the bench, have been named in England’s squad for the international against New Zealand next weekend, and as a result hooker Rob Hawkins also given the chance to start.

There are three changes in the backs with the experienced England full-back Matt Perry starting for Nick Abendanon, while Tom Cheeseman and French international David Bory are named on the wings.

While it was hoped Mark McHugh would be back in action for Connacht after being forced to withdraw last week with a groin strain, he is not 100% fit. Thus, Paul Warwick continues at out-half, but in one of three changes to Michael Bradley’s starting line-up, he will partner scrum-half Tom Tierney who has impressed in the last couple of matches as a second-half replacement, adding impetus to Connacht’s attack.

Matt Mostyn is another injury victim, having failed to recover from a hamstring injury and he is replaced by Keith Matthews. The only change up front is the return of hooker and captain John Fogarty, with Adrian Flavin moving to the bench.

Added Bradley: “To qualify as group leaders we have to win all the rest of our matches. I suspect Harlequins will beat Montpellier, so a victory tomorrow would certainly put us in a strong position.”

CONNACHT: D. Riordan; K Matthews, J Hearty, G Williams, D. Yapp; P. Warwick, T. Tierney; R. Hogan, J. Fogarty (capt), B. Sturgess; D. Gannon, A. Farley; J. Muldoon, R. Ofisa, C. Rigney.

Replacements: A. Flavin, B. Wilkinson, M. Swift, B. O’Connor, C. Keane, C. McPhillips, T. Robinson.

BATH: M. Perry, T. Cheeseman, S. Berne, E. Fuimaono-Sapolu, D. Bory, C. Malone, N. Walshe, D. Barnes, R. Hawkins, D. Flatman, P. Short, R. Fidler, A. Beattie (cpt), J. Scraybrook, I. Feaunati.

Replacements: L Mears, L Ovens, C Goodman, D Grewcock, M Stephenson, J Maddock, A Williams.