Connacht bid for Heineken Cup spot

Connacht will be motivated by the carrot of Heineken Cup rugby for their visit to Cardiff in the Celtic League on Saturday.

The Westerners trail Gwent Warriors by one point and Border Reivers by seven points in the race to be the highest ranked side from the three Celtic Nations and earn a play-off place against Italian opposition.

Captain Andrew Farley is fit from a back injury and John Hearty has recovered from a fractured jaw.

Prop Dan McFarland has been added to the squad just in case Ray Hogan doesn't get the better of a foot injury.

CONNACHT SQUAD (v Cardiff):

Forwards: Adrian Clarke, Andrew Farley, John Fogarty, Andrew Gallagher, David Gannon, Ray Hogan, Stephen Knoop, Matt Lacey, Dan McFarland, Joe Merrigan, John Muldoon, Colm Rigney, Christian Short, Michael Swift.

Backs: John Hearty, Chris Keane, Andrew Mailei, Mark McHugh, Conor McPhillips, Matt Mostyn, David Slemen, Tom Tierney, Paul Warwick, Gavin Williams, Darren Yapp.