Elwood rings the changes for Bayonne trip

Connacht coach Eric Elwood has named his side for Saturday’s Amlin Challenge Cup game with Bayonne at the Stade Jean Bauger, kick-off 7.45pm.

The team sees a number of changes to that which lost narrowly to the Dragons in Rodney Parade last weekend.

Interestingly, Fionn Carr has been named at full back. The former Leinster flyer has been putting his hand up for international recognition for some time and my solve a problem for national coach Declan Kidney in what is fast becoming an injury crisis regarding the Irish number 15 jersey.

With Rob Kearney, Geordan Murphy and Gavin Duffy all out injured and Luke Fitzgerald named on the bench for Leinster this weekend, it would appear that Kidney’s choices for the full back slot are scarce to say the least.

Bernie Upton replaces Michael Swift in the second row and links up with Mike McCarthy, who stands to win his 100th cap for the province, while Mike McComish comes into the pack at number eight.

Eoin Griffin is the only player to remain in a new-look backline that sees former Blackrock College winger Shane Monahan and ex-Munster player Brian Touhy coming into the back three.

Frank Murphy and Ian Keatley return at halfback and Niva Ta’auso is named at inside centre.

Connacht: Fionn Carr; Shane Monahan, Eoin Griffin, Niva Ta’auso, Brian Touhy; Ian Keatley, Frank Murphy, Brett Wilkinson, Sean Cronin, Jamie Hagan; Bernie Upton, Mike McCarthy; Andrew Browne, Johnny O’Connor , Mike McComish

Replacements: Adrian Flavin, Rodney Ah You, Ronan Loughney, Michael Swift, Shane Conneely, Cillian Willis, Miah Nikora, Keith Matthews