Injury crisis forces Bradley to ring the changes

A HOST of injuries has forced coach Michael Bradley to make yet more changes to his starting line-up for tonight’s Magners League clash with Edinburgh at the Galway Sportsground (6pm).

Missing from action is his entire first-choice back row of captain John Muldoon (groin), openside Ray Ofisa (vertigo), and No 8 George Naoupu (hamstring), while both key centres Keith Matthews and Niva Ta’auso, are also ruled out. In addition wing Liam Bibo and prop Robbie Morris join a mounting injury list as Connacht face into a crucial period of the season.

Last week’s morale-boosting performance against Leinster gave several bench players competitive action, not least Brian Tuohy and Johnny O’Connor who retain their starting positions against Edinburgh.

O’Connor joins Mike McComish who takes over at No 8 alongside Mike McCarthy in the back row. Michael Swift and Bernie Upton join forces in the second row, while Sean Cronin returns to the starting line-up after sitting on the bench for Ireland.

Frank Murphy, who produced a lively performance against Leinster last weekend, partners Ian Keatley at halfback, while Troy Nathan and Aidan Wynne will form the central partnership.

As expected last week’s man of the match Fionn Carr completes the three-quarter line with Tuohy and full-back Gavin Duffy, who captains the side.

Unbeaten in their last four trips to Galway – two of which were draws – Edinburgh are flying the Scottish flag in third place behind Leinster and Munster.

Coach Rob Moffat has made four changes to his starting line-up for the trip to Connacht with Allan Jacobsen, Jim Hamilton and David Callam – all Scotland internationalists – named, while centre Ben Cairns, who has recovered from a hamstring injury, reclaims the number 13 jersey. Missing from the Scottish side are Allister Hogg who is still ruled out with a hip injury, Chris Paterson (damaged kidney), lock Craig Hamilton who is sidelined with a head knock, Ross Samson (broken arm) and Nick De Luca (groin).

Last time the two sides met Connacht collapsed, allowing Edinburgh to a 62-13 win. However Connacht’s recent form, a run that includes a win against the Dragons, underlines their continuing improvement, particularly at home.

It should be a lot closer this time.

CONNACHT: G Duffy; B Tuohy, A Wynne, T Nathan, F Carr; I Keatley, F Murphy; B Wilkinson, S Cronin, J Hagan; M Swift, B Upton; M McCarthy, J O’Connor, M McComish.

Replacements: R Loughney, A Flavin, R Loughney, D Nolan, A Browne, C O’Loughlin, M Nikora, E Griffin.

Edinburgh: J Thompson; M Robertson, B Cairns, J Houston, T Visser; P Godman, M Blair (capt); A Jacobsen, A Kelly, G Cross; S MacLeod, J Hamilton; A MacDonald, R Rennie, R Grant.

Replacements: R Ford, K Traynor, S Turnbull, S Newlands, G Laidlaw, D Blair, S Webster.