Series of changes for Connacht team v Borders

Connacht will this Friday bid to make it four wins from four visits to Scotland this weekend when they take on The Borders at Netherdale on Friday evening (7.30 pm).

Connacht were victorious at the venue in the Celtic Cup earlier this season when a brace of long-range penalties from Mark McHugh proved decisive.

Connacht have also defeated Glasgow and Edinburgh in Scotland this season, and will be hoping to maintain that trend when they visit The Borders on Friday.

A number of injury concerns and the successful rotation system operated by Michael Bradley and assistant coach John McKee see a series of changes being made to the side from that which drew 28-28 against Glasgow in the Sportsground at the weekend.

Captain Tim Allnutt returns to the side at inside centre, with Wayne Munn starting on the left-wing.

David Hewitt and Mike Walls are the half-backs.

Up front, John Fogarty and Peter Bracken return to the front row, Damian Browne returns to partner Andrew Farley in the second row, while Michael Swift and Matt Lacey come into the back row.

A number of players including Darren Yapp, Matt Mostyn, Ted Robinson and Marnus Uijs were not considered due to injury concerns.

Connacht (v The Borders): M. McHugh; C. McPhillips, S. Moore, T. Allnutt (captain), W. Munn; D. Hewitt, M. Walls; D. McFarland, J. Fogarty, P. Bracken; D. Browne, A. Farley; M. Swift, M. Lacey, J. O¹Sullivan.

Replacements: H. Bourke, A. Clarke, C. Short, J. Muldoon, C. O¹Loughlin, E. Elwood, J. Meagher.