Bates wields the axe for Connacht match

Coach Steve Bates has wielded the axe in making changes to The Borders side that beat The Ospreys last week for the match-up with Connacht on Saturday.

Prop Tom McGee, blindside, number eight Semo Sititi, wing Simon Danielli and centre Ben MacDougall have all moved into the firing line.

THE BORDERS (v Connacht): 15 Calum MacRae; 14 Nikki Walker, 13 Ben MacDougall, 12 Garry Law, 11 Simon Danielli; 10 Charlie Hore, 9 Chris Cusiter; 1 Paul Thomson CAPTAIN, 2 Steve Scott, 3 Tom McGee; 4 Opeta Palepoi, 5 Mark Blair; 6 John Dalziel, 7 Andy Miller, 8 Semo Sititi.

Substitutes:16 Ross Ford, 17 Geoff Cross, 18 Colin Stewart, 19 Wayne McEntee, 20 Kelly Brown, 21 Brendan McKerchar, 22 Lee Kibble.