Connacht braced for Blue tide

AS THE gap widens between Connacht and those above them in the Magners League, every game is becoming more critical, and few more so than a home fixture against the Welsh team immediately above them.

Cardiff Blues are the visitors to the Galway Sportsground this evening (6.30pm), and Connacht cannot afford another slip up against Welsh opposition, particularly having lost at home to the Scarlets and two weeks ago to the Ospreys.

Connacht do have injury problems, and resources are stretched, particularly in the backrow and front row. All remaining backrow players have been named in the squad, including Johnny O’Connor who returns from injury. But with just 25 minutes under his belt in an A game last week against Ulster — his first since December — he will start from the bench, with David Gannon regulars Ray Ofisa and captain John Muldoon.