Connacht make five changes for Dragons

Justin Meagher will make his first start of the season in a Connacht side that shows five changes for Sunday’s home tie with the Newport Gwent Dragons at The Sportsground.

Coach Michael Bradley has brought in a new front row of Dan McFarland, John Fogarty and Stephen Knoop, and John Muldoon will complete the four alterations to the pack.

CONNACHT (v Gwent Dragons): M Mostyn; J Meagher, D Yapp, J Downey, C McPhillips; P Warwick, C Keane; D McFarland, J Fogarty, S Knoop, C Short, A Farley, J Muldoon, M Lacey, J O’Sullivan.

Replacements: B Jackman, R Hogan, P Myburgh, M Swift, C O’Loughlin, E Elwood, T Robinson.