Connacht to overturn form

Edinburgh v Connacht Murrayfield, 7.30: Leinster may have struggled in Murrayfield on February 19th, but that can be put down to the Six Nations ransacking their squad. Edinburgh have felt a similar pinch, but the second string were strong enough to compensate without quality like Chris Patterson, Scott Murray and Simon Taylor. Having a leader of Todd Blackadder's stature helps.

Connacht are a far different proposition, as an empty Murrayfield will not hold the same fear factor that greeted Michael Bradley and co on their recent travails around France.

Their old warrior Eric Elwood is expected to return, and he would like nothing more than to end the losing streak he experienced at international level in Scotland's national stadium.

Not for the first time, Bradley has opted to bring just nine backs, with an extra backrow brought along to keep the forward momentum ticking over as the contest develops.

They are also continuing the development of the Shannon club's latest solution to Ireland's prop shortage. In a route that is remarkably similar to that undertaken by John Hayes, converted lock Tony Buckley should see some game-time tonight. The 23-year-old did play schools rugby with Newbridge College before a stint in New Zealand after school.

"He came to us pretty raw, in fairness, but he is coming on in leaps and bounds," said team manager Tim Allnutt. "He had a hard job getting into shape and into the squad, but he now has a bright future."

EDINBURGH RUGBY: B Laney; S Webster, M Di Rollo, B MacDougall, C Joiner; P Godman, M Blair; A Jacobsen, D Hall, C Smith; N Hines, A Kellock; A Strokosch, S Cross, T Blackadder (capt). Replacements: A Kelly, A Dickinson, F Pringle, D Callam, R Lawson, P Boston, M Pyke.

CONNACHT: Backs: Ted Robinson, Matt Mostyn, Conor McPhillips, David Slemen, Darren Yapp, Mark McHugh, Eric Elwood, Chris Keane, Mike Walls. Forwards: Dan McFarland, Adrian Clarke, Stephen Knoop, Tony Buckley, Bernard Jackman, John Fogarty, Andrew Farley, Christian Short, John Muldoon, Michael Swift, John O'Sullivan, Matt Lacey, Brendan O'Connor.

Referee: Hugh Watkins (WRU).

Previous meetings: 2001 (Celtic League) at Sportsground: Connacht 21 Edinburgh Rugby 30; 2003 (Celtic League) at Sportsground: Connacht 11 Edinburgh Rugby 3; (Celtic Cup semi-final) at Sportsground: Connacht 25 Edinburgh Rugby 26; 2004 (Celtic League) at Meadowbank: Edinburgh Rugby 17 Connacht 32; 2004 (Celtic League) at Sportsground: Connacht 24 Edinburgh Rugby 35.

Celtic League form: Edinburgh - WWW. Connacht - LWLL.

Leading try scorers: Edinburgh - D Lee 4. Connacht - M Mostyn, M Lacey, C O'Loughlin 3.

Leading points scorers: Edinburgh - C Patterson 78. Connacht - P Warwick 108.

Forecast: Completely disregarding the form, an away win.