Elwood pained by fixtures headache

CONNACHT coach Eric Elwood has slammed the “ridiculous” scheduling of their Magners League clash away to Cardiff Blues.

Elwood’s is angered that his side are in action five nights after facing Ulster in the same competition. However, he hopes his charges will be inspired by a similar mission last season.

He recalled: “Last year we played Ulster and three days later we had to play Leinster and we won, so it has been done before and it can be used as a positive.”

Elwood has made two changes to the starting side for the trip to the Welsh capital. Seán Cronin is rested with Adrian Flavin slotting in at hooker while Andrew Browne comes in for Bernie Upton in the second row. Johnny O’Connor, who resumed contact training this week, is also named in the replacements.

Elwood added: “We have asked the lads to go to the well four weeks in a row and we are asking the bulk of the team to go again. It’s a huge ask.

“I’d like to think it would be nice for Connacht to be in the top four of the Magners League before going into Europe.”

And, having posted their first win away from home in two years when they overcame Glasgow, Elwood is looking for another good performance on foreign soil.

“If we are in the game and competitive and get something out of it, we would be happy. Ultimately we have to be competitive and show that fighting spirit in attack and defence.”

However, it will be a tough ask. Cardiff have brought back Casey Laulala in the centre, while Gareth Cooper makes his first start of the season at scrum half, partnering Dan Parks.

John Yapp starts at loosehead in a pack captained by Xavier Rush. Gethin Jenkins, and Tom Shanklin are included among an experienced bench.

CONNACHT: G Duffy, T Nathan, N Ta’auso, K Matthews, F Carr, I Keatley, F Murphy, B Wilkinson, A Flavin, J Hagan, M Swift, A Browne, M McCarthy, R Ofisa, M McComish.

Replacements: D Murphy, R Loughney, R Sweeney, B Upton, J O’Connor, C Willis, M Nikora, D Fanning.

CARDIFF: B Blair, L Halfpenny, C Laulala, D Hewitt, C Czekaj, D Parks, G Cooper, J Yapp, R Williams, T Filise, B Davies, D Jones, M Paterson, S Warburton, X Rush (capt).

Replacements: K Dacey, G Jenkins, S Andrews, P Tito, A Pretorius, K Baller, C Sweeney, T Shanklin.