Connacht missing big names for Cardiff showdown

Despite an injury crisis, Eric Elwood’s starting XV to face the Cardiff Blues this Friday at Cardiff Arms Park (7.30pm) shows just one change from the side that beat Harlequins in the Heineken Cup.

That change comes at inside centre where Dave McSharry resumes his position having recovered from a shoulder injury meaning Henry Fa’afili drops to the bench.

Andrew Browne (Achilles), Eoin Griffin (hamstring), Johnny O'Connor (facial fracture), Rodney Ah You (foot) and Frank Murphy (groin) are unavailable through injury, though many hope to be available for selection next week.

Connacht (v Cardiff Blues): G Duffy (c); F Vainikolo, K Tonetti, D McSharry, T O’Halloran; N O’Connor, P O’Donohoe; B Wilkinson, A Flavin, R Loughney; M Swift, M McCarthy; J Muldoon, R Ofisa, G Naoupu.

Replacements: E Reynecke D Buckley, S Maguire, D Gannon, M Kearney, D Moore, M Jarvis, H Fa’afili.