Connacht to maintain progress

Connacht v Edinburgh Sportsground Today, 2.30 p.m.Connacht possess that typically Irish quality of thriving in adversity or when expectation is minimal. Victory over Llanelli at Stradey Park last week - they have managed this feat before - wouldn't have been predicted by many of the Irish province's supporters.

But making assumptions about Connacht rugby is a dangerous occupation - just ask the IRFU. Coach Michael Bradley has once again engineered a tightly knit group, assimilating the summer arrivals, where the sum of the parts more than compensates for the lack of marquee names.

That's not to say the province don't have players of real quality. The scrumhalf debate in Irish rugby gets a regular airing and one player who could enter the equation is Connacht number nine Conor O'Loughlin.

Squad rotation is occasionally the enemy of young, aspiring players. Often they feel the need to produce a stellar performance rather than attending to the basics and playing with quiet efficiency.

O'Loughlin, an underage international, has now reached the point where others like Kieron Campbell and Brian O'Riordan have stood. The question is whether O'Loughlin can take the next step and jump the queue. He is a tidy player with an eye for a gap and the pace to get through it.

Today sees the return of Darren Yapp, restored to the centre for his first competitive outing this season following injury. The back line shows several changes from last weekend, with Matt Mostyn also restored to full health and the full-back position.

David Slemen and Conor McPhillips both picked up leg injuries in the Llanelli game and were not considered, while Niall O'Brien switches from centre to the left wing.

There are no alterations to the pack who did so well the last day. Bernard Jackman's return from injury is imminent, as he has been named on the bench.

Connacht have recorded back-to-back victories over the Borders and Llanelli Scarlets and will be keen to sustain that momentum with the Parker Pen Challenge Cup looming large.

Edinburgh have won just one of their past six matches - 35-16 over Cardiff Blues at Murrayfield two weeks ago - but they're a better side than that form suggests.

Last week against Leinster at Donnybrook it was only following the introduction of Denis Hickie and Gordon D'Arcy that the match was decided emphatically in favour of the home side.

One inescapable fact though for the Scottish team is that they have not won away since beating Munster at Musgrave Park last April. Edinburgh coach Frank Hadden admitted: "Connacht are a strong side but we are pretty confident we are going in the right direction."

Scottish international utility back Chris Paterson added: "It will be a very tough match this weekend. Connacht won in Wales last week and are playing with much more width this season. We will have to be at our best to get the win we need."

The record between these sides favours the away team but despite Edinburgh's progress since the opening game of the season, they may not have the steel up front to play the wide game they crave.

Connacht need to dominate up front and if they achieve that then it should be enough to see them over the finishing line.

CONNACHT: M Mostyn; T Robinson, D Yapp, M McHugh, N O'Brien; P Warwick, C O'Loughlin; R Hogan, J Fogarty, S Knoop, A Farley, P Myburgh, M Swift, M Carroll, M Lacey. Replacements: B Jackman, A Clarke, C Short, J Muldoon, M Walls, E Elwood, J Downey.

EDINBURGH: D Lee; C Paterson, M Di Rollo, C Joiner, H Southwell; B Laney, R Lawson; A Jacobsen, D Hall, C Smith, N Hines, A Kellock, T Blackadder (capt), A Hogg, S Cross. Replacements: A Kelly, J Brannigan, F Pringle, A Strokosch, J Blackwood, P Godman, S Webster.

Referee: Hugh Watkins (Wales).

Recent meetings: 2001 - Connacht 21 Edinburgh 30; Sept. 2003 - Connacht 11 Edinburgh 3; Nov. 2003 - Connacht 25 Edinburgh 26; Feb. 2004 - Edinburgh 17 Connacht 32.

Last time out: Llanelli 21 Connacht 29; Leinster 35 Edinburgh 13.

Leading points scorers: Connacht - Paul Warwick 44. Edinburgh - Chris Paterson 55.

Leading try scorers: Connacht - Conor O'Loughlin 3. Edinburgh - Todd Blackadder, Hugo Southwell, Derrick Lee, Allan Jacobsen 1 each.

Verdict: Connacht to win.