Elwood makes three changes for Dragons trip

Connacht head coach Eric Elwood has made just three changes to the team that beat Benetton Treviso 18-3 in round eight for the province’s visit to the Newport Gwent Dragons in Friday evening’s RaboDirect PRO12 clash at Rodney Parade (7pm).

Captain Gavin Duffy makes his return to the Connacht line-up, starting on the wing.

The skipper who was unavailable for a number of weeks due to injury, made an appearance in the closing stages against Treviso and touched down for a try after just a minute on the pitch.

There are no further changes to the backline.

Danie Poolman, on his third outing for the province, joins Dave McSharry in the centre while Tiernan O’Halloran is named at right-wing.

Meanwhile, up front there are two changes to the pack with Mick Kearney replacing Mike McCarthy, who remains on international duty this week.

Kearney is joined in the second row by Michael Swift, who makes his 229th appearance for the Westerners.

On the bench, hooker Ethienne Reynecke is named among the front row replacements following his return to training earlier this week.

Flying winger Matt Healy could earn make his first appearance for the province tomorrow evening. The 23-year-old joined the club this season from Lansdowne and has made a notable impression with the Connacht Eagles.

Connacht are pursuing their first back-to-back win of the 2012/13 season.

Connacht (v. Dragons): R Hesnahw; T O’Halloran, D Poolman, D McSharry, G Duffy ©; D Parks, K Marmion; D Buckley, J Harris-Wright, N White; M Swift, M Kearney; A Browne, W Faloon, E McKeon.

Replacements: E Reynecke, R Ah You, R Loughney, D Gannon, J O’Connor, D Moore, M Nikora, M Healy.