Elwood: Our fans expect us to win

AFTER an opening victory over Treviso, coach Eric Elwood says Connacht must raise the bar again today when they open their home season against the Scarlets in the Rabo Direct Pro12 at 3.15pm.

More than 3,000 fans are expected at the Sportsground following a march from Eyre Square to celebrate the opening of the new Clan Terrace, and Elwood says they will be expecting a big performance and a win.

“It is up to us to deliver it, and once again we have to compete in the physicality stakes. Scarlets have firepower up front, quality in their backs and the brand of rugby they play will test any team around the park.”

Elwood has kept faith with last week’s team that overcame Treviso 11 9, but welcomes the return of prop Brett Wilkinson, who is named on the bench alongside Stewart Maguire, who replaces Dylan Rogers as the replacement tighthead prop.

CONNACHT: G Duffy (capt), M McCrea, H Fa’afili, E Griffin, T O’Halloran, M Jarvis, F Murphy, R Loughney, A Flavin, R Ah You, M McCarthy, M Swift, J Muldoon, R Ofisa, G Naoupu.

SCARLETS: D Evans, L Williams, R Gomer Davies, G Maule, L Williams, D Newton, RTipuna, I Thomas (capt), E Phillips, R Thomas, A Shingler, D Day, R McCusker, J Turnbull, B Morgan.