Cronin and Duffy to start for Connacht

Ireland contenders Gavin Duffy and Sean Cronin will play for Connacht against The Ospreys in the Magner's League on Sunday at the Liberty Stadium (5pm).

Hooker Cronin should start on the bench for Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday week, presuming he can avoid injury.

Full-back Duffy is a longer shot at being involved, but he is well-practised in the position unlike the other contenders Keith Earls and Tommy Bowe.

CONNACHT (v The Ospreys):

15 Gavin Duffy

14 Troy Nathan

13 Niva Ta’auso

12 Keith Mathews

11 Fionn Carr

10 Ian Keatley

9 Frank Murphy

1 Brett Wilkinson

2 Sean Cronin

3 Robbie Morris

4 Michael Swift

5 Bernie Upton

6 John Muldoon

7 Ray Ofisa

8 George Naoupu.

Replacements:

16 Adrian Flavin

17 Jamie Hagan

18 Mike McCarthy

19 Johnny O’Connor

20 Conor O’Loughlin

21 Adian Wynne

22 Liam Bibo.