Elwood names Connacht side

Connacht coach Eric Elwood has named his side for Thursday’s Magners League match with Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade (kick-off 7.35pm).

Sean Cronin, back from an IRFU imposed break (under the Player Welfare Management Programme), replaces Adrian Flavin at hooker while Mike McComish, who has recovered from the illness that ruled him out of last weekend’s clash against Leinster, replaces Shane Conneely on the bench.

Ian Keatley moves to full back with New Zealander Troy Nathan shifting to the wing. Academy players Eoin Griffin and Eoin McKeon retain their places in the side at centre and number eight respectively.

Connacht: Ian Keatley; Troy Nathan, Eoin Griffin, Keith Matthews, Fionn Carr; Miah Nikora, Cillian Willis; Brett Wilkinson, Sean Cronin, Jamie Hagan, Michael Swift, Michael McCarthy; Andrew Browne, Johnny O’Connor, Eoin McKeon

Replacements: Adrian Flavin, Rodney Ah You, Dylan Rogers, Bernie Upton, Mike McComish, Frank Murphy, Niva Ta’auso, Brian Tuohy