Connacht make two changes

Michael Bradley has made just two changes to his side for Connacht’s opening match in the European Challenge Cup away to Dax on Friday (kick off: 7pm).

England international Robbie Morris comes back into the front row at tighthead for Ronan Loughney as Connacht aim to get their campaign off to a flying start before facing London Irish at the Sportsground the following week.

In the second row, Michael Swift, in for the suspended Michael McCarthy, partners Andrew Farley in a move that should give The Westerners greater mobility around the field.

Dax are not equipped to handle competitions on two fronts and there is the suspicion that they will field less than their best side in Friday's European Challenge Cup in France.

Christophe Milheres revealed as much this week when he said "the cutting of Europe is not essential for us".

"We wish to see players that have not had the time to play in the Championship. This is the occasion for them to show what they are capable of".

DAX: L Diaz; B Hiriart, L Marticorena, D Bell, P Albaladejo; M Petitjean, J Pezet; J Brugnaut, W Bonet, J Castex, C Guironnet, A Mazel, B Adrillon, V Deniau, P Caillet (capt).

Replacements: M Auzqui, J Jaen, C Poulain, J Cros, J Pendanx, F Argel, J Rouge.

CONNACHT (v Dax): F Carr; M Roberts, G Duffy, M Deane, L Bibo; I Keatley, F Murphy; B Wilkinson, S Cronin, R Morris; M Swift, A Farley; J Muldoon (capt), J O’Connor, C Rigney.

Replacements: J Merrigan, R Loughney, A Browne, R Ofisa, K Campbell, T Nathan, J Hearty.