Cronin rested for Connacht

Connacht will have to make do without their in-form hooker Sean Cronin for their Magners’ League visit to Cardiff Blues tomorrow night (7.05pm).

Former London Irish hooker Adrian Flavin is brought in as Cronin is rested as part of the IRFU's Player Welfare Programme.

Connacht Academy graduate Dermot Murphy could be in line for his debut as he wins a place on the bench.

Galwayman Andrew Browne replaces Bernie Upton in the second row, with international flanker Johnny O'Connor returning from injury to replace Shane Conneely on the bench.

CONNACHT (v Cardiff Blues):

1 Brett Wilkinson

1 Brett Wilkinson

2 Adrian Flavin

3 Jamie Hagan

4 Michael Swift

5 Andrew Browne

6 Michael McCarthy

7 Ray Ofisa

8 Mike McComish

9 Frank Murphy (C)

10 Ian Keatley

11 Fionn Carr

12 Keith Matthews

13 Niva Ta'auso

14 Troy Nathan

15 Gavin Duffy

Replacement:

16 Dermot Murphy

17 Ronan Loughney

18 Rob Sweeney

19 Bernie Upton

20 Johnny O'Connor

21 Cillian Willis

22 Miah Nikora

23 Darragh Fanning