Connacht look to derail Cardiff’s league charge

CONNACHT are looking to sign off their home season and extend their impressive form at the Galway Sportsground this evening.

And with two away matches against Ulster and Munster to come, Connacht view this fixture as a must-win to maintain their momentum and a best-place Magners League finish.

Although they face a Cardiff Blues side chasing a top-four place, Connacht’s confidence after a run of six home wins on the trot is high. However Elwood warns the task will be difficult.

“Cardiff have four games left and are in a very strong position to make the top four so they will be travelling strong,” he said.

“It will not be easy but our home record is strong and we are intent on gaining a win to have the best possible finish to a Magners League.”

Despite injury concerns at half back, with Cillian Willis ruled out and 97-times capped Conor O’Loughlin announcing his retirement due to injury, Elwood has been able to include the key pairing of Ian Keatley and Frank Murphy.

Niva Ta’auso has recovered after missing the Edinburgh match in an otherwise unchanged starting 15 from the side that overcame the Scots 27-23.

John Muldoon continues on the bench as Elwood keeps faith with Andrew Browne, Johnny O’Connor — who continues to captain the side, and Ray Ofisa in the back row.

In the absence of the injured Michael Swift, Bernie Upton continues to partner Mike McCarthy in the second row, while Ronan Loughney retains his spot alongside Sean Cronin and Jamie Hagan in the front row, with Brett Wilkinson on the bench.

The visitors welcome the return of full-back Chris Czekaj in a starting team that boasts 13 internationals, including a midfield partnership of Casey Laulala and Jamie Roberts. And Cardiff, led by Paul Tito, are just as strong up front, as they travel to Galway intent on closing the four point gap with nearest rivals Leinster.

CONNACHT: G Duffy, B Tuohy, N Ta’auso, T Nathan, F Carr; I Keatley, F Murphy, R Loughney, S Cronin, J Hagan, B Upton, M McCarthy, A Browne, J O’Connor, R Ofisa. Replacements: A Flavin, B Wilkinson, R Ah You, M McComish, J Muldoon, M Dolan, K Matthews, E Griffin.

CARDIFF: C Czekaj, L Halfpenny, C Laulala, J Robert, T James, D Parks, R Rees, J Yapp, G Williams T Filise, B Davies, P Tito (cpt), A Pretorius, M Williams, X Rush. Replacements: R Williams, S Hobbs, S Andrews, M Paterson, M Molitika, L Williams, C Sweeney, D Dafydd Hewitt.