Bradley's men on a roll

Connacht v Llanelli Scarlets:  Fledgling days, but there's a real buzz and gathering momentum within Connacht just now and this game offers an opportunity to maintain one of only two remaining unbeaten records.

In reflecting on the influence of the home crowd's support last week, Michael Bradley observed that something about Friday nights under lights made a 1500-2000 crowd seem more like one of 6000 or 8,000.

Happy with their composure, their discipline in defence and the quality of their setpieces in their two wins to date, Bradley also extols the outhalf virtues which Mark McHugh has brought after missing eight months of last season; namely experience, physical presence in defence, tactical kicking and distribution.

Making more of their opportunities to get the ball into wide channels has been his only real lament.

The Scarlets themselves are seeking a third win in eight days after a fine comeback win at the Dragons on Tuesday when withstanding the home side's highly physical approach up front to unleash a richly talented backline for a three-try salvo early in the second period. Phil Davies is obliged to juggle his resources again, making another five changes.

Undoubtedly they have more of a cutting edge than Connacht and by rights should start favourites. History should also have told them not to underestimate Bradley's team but then that was the case here last season.

If Connacht can again maintain their accuracy at setpiece time, apply pressure territorially and on the scoreboard, then the Friday factor might come into play once more.

CONNACHT: M Mostyn; C McPhillips, P Warwick, G Williams, K Matthews; M McHugh, C Keane; B Wilkinson, A Flavin, S Knoop, D Gannon, A Farley, J Muldoon, M Lacey, C Rigney. Replacements: J Fogarty, M Diffley, M Swift, B O'Connor, T Tierney, John Hearty, D Riordan.

LLANELLI SCARLETS: C Thomas; D James, M Watkins, G Evans, D Daniel; S Jones, C Stuart-Smith; P John, M Rees, D Manu, A Jones, S MacLeod, J Bater, S Easterby (capt), N Thomas. Replacements: I Thomas, K Owens, I Afeaki, A Popham, D Peel, M Jones, R King.

Referee: Gaeme Hannah (SRU).

Previous meetings: (03-04) Connacht 20, Llanelli 25; Llanelli 33, Connacht 33; (04-05) Llanelli 21, Connacht 29; Connacht 11, Llanelli 18; (05-06) Llanelli 25, Connacht 17; Connacht 33 Llanelli 19.

Leading points scorers: Connacht - Mark McHugh 31. Llanelli - Stephen Jones 25.

Leading try scorers: Paul Warwick, Gavin Williams 1 each. Llanelli - Darren Daniel 4, Gavin Evans 3.

Also playing: Ospreys v Border Reivers, Liberty Stadium (7.10pm).