Fired-up Dragons will be very hard to stop

Celtic League/Connacht v N-G Dragons: Coach Michael Bradley must do without captain, Andrew Farley (back) and centre Keith Matthews (leg) for this crucial clash as Connacht try to keep alive flickering hopes of a Heineken Cup place next season.

Gavin Williams, a son of New Zealand legend Bryan, and Christian Short come into the team. Williams joins Andrew Mailei in the centre while Short partners David Gannon in the second row.

Michael Swift is introduced at blindside flanker and Johnny Muldoon moves to the openside to the exclusion of Matt Lacey.

Darren Yapp returns after a hamstring injury and replaces Connacht's top try scorer in this competition, Conor McPhillips. Mark McHugh moves to outhalf and Paul Warwick is at fullback.

The Dragons hold that final European Cup play-off place, two points ahead of Glasgow and seven clear of Connacht, who must finish ahead of one Welsh and one Scottish side to secure a play-off with Italy's third-ranked side in June.

The Dragons have made one change to the starting XV that beat Munster at Rodney Parade last weekend. Hal Luscombe is ruled out with a rib injury so Jon Bryant comes in to partner Ceri Sweeney in midfield.

Ian Gough has recovered from a virus to take his place in the second row, and Luke Charteris has overcome a shoulder injury. On the bench Gethin Robinson comes in for Chris Anthony, and Ben Breeze replaces Bryant.

The Dragons excelled against Munster last time out, scoring three cracking tries. They are brilliantly led by the Kiwi Jason Forster, a joint-leading try scorer in the league with seven.

If Connacht are to win, their pack must gain an edge. But the Dragons' recent form makes them hard to back against.

CONNACHT: P Warwick; M Mostyn, A Mailei, G Williams, D Yapp; M McHugh, C Keane; R Hogan, J Fogarty, S Knoop; C Short, D Gannon; M Swift, J Muldoon, C Rigney. Replacements: J Merrigan, A Clarke, A Gallagher, M Lacey, T Tierney, D Slemen, C McPhillips.

DRAGONS: A Thomas; G Wyatt, J Bryant, C Sweeney, N Brew; C Warlow, G Baber; A Black, S Jones, R Thomas; I Gough, L Charteris; J Ringer, J Forster, M Owen. Replacements: A Brown, D Maddocks, G Robinson, P Sidoli, R Oakley, B Breeze, J Ireland.

Referee: David Changleng (Scotland).

Leading points scorers: Connacht - Paul Warwick 93. Dragons - Craig Warlow 95.

Leading try scorers: Connacht - Conor McPhillips 4. Dragons - Jason Forster 7.

Verdict: Dragons to win.

Connacht v N-G Dragons Sportsground, Saturday. Kick-off - 2.30pm