Heineken Cup / Pool Five Preview / Connacht v Amatori Catania: The visit of the Sicilians could not have come at a more perfect time for Connacht.
Somewhat punch-drunk after losing five on the trot, Michael Bradley's team then had to deal with a technical mugging against the Ospreys when a controversial referee's decision left them in a bleak position in the Celtic League.
Therefore they will be eager to open their European Challenge Cup campaign on a bright note. This is Catania's first time in the competition and they are considered the weakest team in a group that also contains Montpellier and Worcester.
Bradley has already stated his expectation that his side should win convincingly and the match is regarded as an opportunity to iron out some of the problems that have dogged Connacht in the opening weeks of the season.
Bradley has changed his team somewhat, with Colm Rigney, the Laois backrow player signed from Leeds over the summer, coming in for Michael Swift and the experienced Matt Lacey also returning. John Fogarty replaces Joe Merrigan at hooker.
But in comparison to previous seasons, this is a relatively callow Connacht side. Long-term injuries to the versatile Mark McHugh and James Downey - the most consistent player in the province last year - has ushered midfielders Keith Matthews and John Hearty through for big playing minutes.
Impressive against Ospreys last week, they will hope to see some space opening up through the bright, sharp running game that Paul Warwick brings to the Connacht side.
However, conscious of the season ahead, Connacht have signed Tongan international Andrew Mailai, a 25-year-old centre described by Bradley as a quality ball player. He is ineligible for the pool stages of this competition but can be introduced immediately for the Celtic league.
Connacht have given up a lot of scores this year and again, this is a game that offers them a chance to fine tune the strong, defensive cohesion which their game is founded on.
They last played an Italian team in this competition four years ago, winning both legs and enjoyed a 20-13 pre-season win over Parma. They will almost certainly be far superior to the Italians but as well as winning the game, they will be hoping to rediscover the discipline and mental toughness that have made them such a difficult proposition for opponents over the past couple of seasons.
CONNACHT: M Mostyn; T Robinson, D Yapp, K Matthews, C McPhillips; P Warwick, C Keane; R Hogan, J Fogarty, S Knoop; C Short, A Farley; J Muldoon, M Lacey, C Rigney. Replacements: D McFarland, C Venter, A Clarke, D Gannon, B O'Connor, C O'Loughlin, D Riordan.
AMATORI CATANIA: F Pappelardo; E Viassiolo, A Romagnoli, M Estomba, B de Jager (capt); B Irving, J Cruz Viassiolo; D Bonis, G Alvarez, TBC, M Privitera, J P Lagarrigue, M Vinti, D Vidal, A Krancz. Replacements: TBC, F Condorelli, N Wargon, S Carbone, J Grasso, M Gravagna, M Lorenzetti.
Sportsground, 2.30
