Elwood makes four changes for Cavalieri visit

IT has been a largely forgettable Amlin Challenge Cup campaign for last year’s finalists Connacht but one memorable moment came last weekend when Eric Elwood’s men created history in the 35-21 defeat of Bayonne.

That win saw the province become the first Irish side to defeat a French team home and away three years running, following last season’s double triumph over Montpellier and Dax the year before.

Now Elwood wants them to finish their pool campaign on a high and dish out some revenge to Prato this evening.

The 23-21 loss away to the Italian minnows on the opening weekend of the season derailed Connacht’s hopes of getting out of the pool and left them needing to defeat Harlequins home and away to qualify for the quarter-finals for the third year in a row.

“We owe them one from the opening match, but more importantly we want to string two wins together and build on last week’s fine victory in France,” said Elwood.

“Another win would give us another confidence boost and then we can turn all our attentions to the Magners League for the remainder of the season, starting with the Scarlets in the Sportsground next month.”

He has made four changes with academy product Shane Conneely, making his debut, while longest serving player, Michael Swift, returns at second row.

Gavin Duffy can boost his Six Nations hopes when he starts at full-back having been out for a month, while Keith Matthews has been handed the captain’s role on his return to inside centre. Flanker Ray Ofisa makes a welcome return to the bench after being out since October with an horrific head and facial injury.

Meanwhile Connacht’s Magners League game with Aironi, postponed last month, has been re-fixed for March 11 at the Sportsground.