News
Preview: Connacht v Leinster
October 03 2008
Connacht coach Michael Bradley has made nine changes to his side for Sunday's Magners League clash with Leinster at the Sportsground.
Both Gavin Duffy and Keith Matthews return to the starting line-up in the centre having overcome their respective injuries, with Ian Keatley starting at fly-half and Liam Bibo returning to the wing.
In the forwards there is an all new look front row, with Brett Wilkinson and Ronan Loughney teaming up with Sean Cronin at hooker, and Michael McCarthy and Andrew Farley start once again in the second row.
Felipe Contepomi will become the first overseas player to reach the 100 cap milestone for Leinster as he takes his place in the team at inside centre.
In his 99 appearances to date - where he also became the first Leinster player to pass the 1,000-point mark - he has scored a total 1,043 points.
In other team news, Rob Kearney starts at full-back and lines up in a back-line that also includes Shane Horgan and Luke Fitzgerald, who partners Contepomi at centre.
In the pack, Stan Wright and John Fogarty come into the front row alongside CJ Van Der Linde with Rocky Elsom also retaining his place to partner Sean O'Brien and Stephen Keogh in a strong-looking back-row formation.
Form: Connacht's only Magners League win so far this campaign was 15-8 at home to Glasgow Warriors on 19 September. Connacht have lost their last 13 encounters against fellow Irish provinces since their 22-12 win against Ulster in Galway on New Year's Eve 2005. Reigning Magners League champions, Leinster, were 'nilled' for the first time in league history on Sunday against Munster. Connacht have lost their last eight games against Leinster since a 35-24 victory at the Sportsground on 5 November 2004.
Prediction: It is hard to see anything other than a comfortable victory for Leinster here. Leinster by 20.
The Teams:
Connacht: 15 Fionn Carr, 14 Liam Bibo, 13 Gavin Duffy, 12 Keith Matthews, 11 Michael Roberts, 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Frank Murphy, 8 Colm Rigney, 7 Jonny O'Connor, 6 John Muldoon (c), 5 Adrian Farley, 4 Michael McCarthy, 3 Ronan Loughney, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 Brett Wilkinson.
Replacements: 16 Conor Muldoon, 17 Robbie Morris, 18 Andrew Browne, 19 Michael Swift, 20 Kieran Campbell, 21 Troy Nathan, 22 John Hearty.
Leinster: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Shane Horgan, 13 Luke Fitzgerald, 12 Felipe Contepomi, 11 Simon Keogh, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Chris Keane, 8 Stephen Keogh, 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Devin Toner, 4 Leo Cullen (c), 3 CJ Van Der Linde, 2 John Fogarty, 1 Stan Wright.
Replacements: 16 Cian Healy, 17 Brian Blaney, 18 Trevor Hogan, 19 Cameron Jowitt, 20 Chris Whitaker, 21 Fergus McFadden, 22 Gary Brown.
Date: Sunday 5 October, 2008
Kick-off: 18:00 BST (17:00 GMT)
Venue: The Sportsground
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Touch judges: Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland), John Lacey (Ireland)
Television match official: Dermot Moloney (Ireland)