Connacht target bonus point victory

CONNACHT will be expected to open their 14th European campaign this evening with a victory over unknown visitors Olympus Rugby XV Madrid to the Sportsground

Taking the place of last season’s Spanish champions CRC Madrid, this invitational side, comprising the best players of the Spanish club championship, have been pooled alongside Connacht, pool favourites Worcester, and Montpellier.

Connacht coach Michael Bradley will need his squad, after an inconsistent Magners League start, to make a statement tonight. Bradley has tinkered with the side that lost last week to the Dragons, and the return of centre Niva Ta’auso should be a big boost to the three-quarter line, which shows four changes. Of significance is the selection of former Irish schools player Tiernan O’Halloran on the right wing in his first competitive start, while Fionn Carr is recalled to the left wing with Aidan Wynne also starting, alongside Ta’auso. Miah Nikora and Conor O’Loughlin continue at half-back, with Ian Keatley and Frank Murphy continuing on the bench.

Up front, Adrian Flavin starts ahead of Sean Cronin, alongside Brett Wilkinson and Jamie Hagan, while Michael Swift and Bernie Upton team up in the second row. Captain John Muldoon is on the bench with Mike McCarthy moving to No 8 and Andrew Browne at blindside.

Anything other than a would be unacceptable to Bradley. . “This is a game about securing a bonus point,” says Bradley. .”

CONNACHT: G Duffy, T O’Halloran, N Ta’auso, A Wynne, F Carr, M Nikora, C O’Loughlin, B Wilkinson, A Flavin, J Hagan, M Swift, B Upton, A Browne, J O’Connor, M McCarthy. Replacements: S Cronin, R Loughneye, C Higgins, J Muldoon, D Murphy, F Murphy, I Keatley, T Nathan.

Olympus Rugby XV: M Mazo, J Cano, M Poggi, J Canosa, B Pardo, J Palumbo, P Feijoo, V Acevedo, C Bohorquez, A Camacho, L Fernandez, J Recuerda, S Guerrero, J Gonzalas, M Acena. Replacements: J Arbelaitz, M Serrano, S Hattori, I Criado, C Arenas, S Souto, M Heredia, M Tudela.