Elwood: Connacht ready to end Cardiff hoodoo

It is 12 years since Connacht came away from Cardiff Arms Park with a win, and coach Eric Elwood says that needs to change when the sides meet this evening in the RaboDirect Pro12 (7.30pm).

And Elwood is now challenging his players to back-up last weekend’s victory over the current Rabo champions Ospreys with a win.

“We showed last week what we are capable of. Our defence was excellent, our attack was good, and we need to play with that same intensity, while also keeping our discipline, to have a chance. If we can back it up and reproduce that form in Wales, I am confident,” he says.

Elwood has been forced to make four changes to his starting XV. Gavin Duffy resumes the full-back position and captaincy in the absence of Robbie Henshaw, who has been involved in Declan Kidney’s training camp, while Fetu Vainikolo comes in for the injured Tiernan O’Halloran (knee) and Brian Murphy starts in the centre. Up front Andrew Browne joins Michael Swift in the second row.

CONNACHT: G Duffy (cpt) D Poolman, E Griffin B Murphy, F Vainikolo, D Parks, K Marmion, B Wilkinson, J Harris-Wright, N White, M Swift, A Browne, J Muldoon, W Faloon, E McKeon. Replacements: E Reynecke, D Buckley, R Loughney, M Kearney, TJ Anderson, O’Donoghoe, M Nikora, M Jarvis.

CARDIFF BLUES: C Czekaj, O Williams, R Smith, G Evans (c), H Robinson, R Patchel, L Jones, T Filise, K Dacey, B Bourrust, M Cook, J Down, M Paterson, R Watt-Jones, R Copeland. Replacements: R Williams, N Trevett, S Andrews, L Hamilton, T Young, L Davies, C Sweeney, J Tovey.