Connacht shuffle the deck

CONNACHT are expecting perfect weather conditions to play some expansive rugby against newcomers I Cavalieri Estra in their opening European match in Italy this afternoon (2pm Irish time).

Now in their 14th season of the Amlin Challenge Cup, Connacht will be favourites to open their European campaign with a victory against a side making its debut in the competition.

As a result, coach Eric Elwood has opted to use this weekend’s fixture in Prato to rest some of his players. Gavin Duffy, Keith Matthews, Jamie Hagan and Ray Ofisa remain at home, while Mike McCarthy and Frank Murphy are on the bench.

Making their first competitive start for Connacht are Darragh Fanning, Cillian Willis and Rob Sweeney, while Elwood also welcomes the return of Johnny O’Connor and John Muldoon, who, along with Andrew Browne, will form a new back row.

Troy Nathan moves to full-back with Darragh Fanning on the right wing, while Miah Nikora starts in the centre. Also on the bench are debutants Barry Fa’amausuli and Shane Monahan.

Traditionally a competition in which Connacht has competed successfully, this year’s Amlin Challenge Cup sees the province face the Italian Super 10 side, old rivals Harlequins, and French outfit Bayonne in Pool One, and once again they must top the pool to qualify for the quarter-finals for a fourth time.

Cavalieri are regarded as the weakest of the four teams in what Elwood says it is a “daunting” group.

“It is a good thing for us, and we have to deal with it, that we are expected to get the win here. If we do that today, it will be give us confidence going into the home match against Bayonne which will be a very tough encounter.”

He added: “It is (Cavalieri’s) first match in Europe and they will want to prove a point.”

CONNACHT: T Nathan; D Fanning, N Ta’asuo, M Nikora, F Carr; I Keatley, C Willis; B Wilkinson, A Flavin, R Sweeney; M Swift, B Upton; A Browne, J O’Connor, J Muldoon (capt).

Replacements: D Murphy, R Loughney, B Fa’amausili, M McCarthy, M McComish, F Murphy, A Wynne, S Monahan.

I CAVALIERI ESTRA: R Wakarua; N Tempestini, D Majstorovic, W Mafi, F Vezzosi; A Chiesa, P Patelli; N Soqueta, F Cristiano, L Petillo; W Moore, L Beccaris; G Bocca, L Giovanchelli, L Poloni.

Replacements: A Neri, D Stefani, G Marino, N Belardo, A Lunardi, S Rodwell, E Pratt, F Giusti.