Leonelli set to return for Glasgow against Connacht

THERE will be some interested parties wishing to assess Argentinean international full back Francisco Leonelli in the Magners League clash between Connacht and Glasgow Warriors at the Sports Ground to-night (6.30).

Leonelli, who could play a role in Argentina’s World Cup bid later this year, makes a long awaited return for Glasgow after being kept out for months with a groin injury.

Ironically, his last game was for the Warriors against Connacht at Hughenden on November 3 when he scored a try in the exciting 39-34 bonus point victory.

He said yesterday: “I’m very pleased to be back. It has been such a long time since my last game but I’m really looking forward to playing again. It’s important for us to win this game and move up the league but it’s also important for me to come through it so that I can get back into playing my best rugby in the four games we have left.”

Francisco’s inclusion is one of three changes that coach Sean Lineen has made to the side that beat league leaders Leinster 26-20 at Hughenden last Friday. To accommodate Leonelli, Rory Lamont switches from full back to right wing while Moray Low returns in place of Euan Murray at tight-head.

Lamont said: “It’s great to welcome Francisco back after five months out because he’s a quality player and we’ve brought Moray in for Euan, who is being rested for this game. It’s a great chance for both players with just four games left this season.

“This is another massive game for us as Connacht rarely lose at home. We scraped past them in November with a 39-34 win at Hughenden so we know this will be a tough match and we’ll have to continue the form from last weeks win over Leinster,” he added.

In jury struck Connacht will have to battle to secure a result in the final home match of the Magners League against Glasgow Warriors to-night.

The kick off at the Sports Ground is set for 6.30 and coach Michael Bradley has made two changes, in addition to two positional switches to his Connacht team.

Daniel Riordan comes back into the side in place of the injured Mark McHugh and Ray Hogan is named in the front row in place of Stephen Knoop.

Gavin Duffy is moved from full back to outside centre, with John Hearty moving from outside to inside centre, in a reshuffled backline.

CONNACHT: D Riordan; D Yapp, G Duffy, J Hearty, C McPhillips; P Warwick, C Keane; B Wilkinson, A Flavin, R Hogan; M Swift, A Farley; J Muldoon, R Ofisa, C Rigney.

Replacements: J Fogarty, B Sturgess, R Strudwick/D Gannon, M Lacey, P Durcan, A Wynne, D Slemen.

GLASGOW WARRIORS: F. Leonelli, R. Lamont, G. Morrison, S. Barrow, T. Evans, D. Parks, G. Beveridge, J. Va’a, F. Thompson, M. Low, A. Newman, A. Kellock (captain), S. Swindall, J. Beattie, J. Barclay.

Replacements. S. Lawson, K. Tkachuk, J. Eddie, A. Wilson, D. Macfadyen, C. Gregor, H. O’Hare.