Good time for Connacht to strike

Connacht v Gwent Dragons: Michael Bradley's charges have produced a couple of superb results in recent games, beating both Llanelli and Celtic League table-toppers the Neath/Swansea Ospreys away. They demonstrated tremendous grit to win last time out against the Ospreys and will be hoping to maintain that progress.

If there is a good time to face the top Welsh sides it is when they are shorn of their international players, with the Principality slaughtering Japan last night at the Millennium Stadium.

Bradley makes five changes to the side, with four in the pack. Dan McFarland, John Fogarty and Stephen Knoop come into the front row. Ray Hogan and Bernard Jackman drop to the bench with Peter Bracken not in the match 22.

There is a further change in the back row with John Muldoon coming in for Michael Swift, who is named among the replacements. Justin Meagher is selected on the right wing in place of Ted Robinson, who'll be on the bench.

Connacht will be looking to address a record that has seen them win only one of their last seven home matches against teams from Wales and the fact they lost both games to the Dragons last season.

Gwent, who have lost their last two matches, against Munster and Edinburgh respectively, can still field a relatively strong team and that includes leading try scorer, full back Kevin Morgan (6), but are likely to concentrate on winning this game up front.

Therein lies the rub for Connacht who'll require a big performance from the pack. Momentum often counts for a great deal and Connacht certainly have that.

CONNACHT: M Mostyn; J Meagher, D Yapp, J Downey, C McPhillips; P Warwick, C Keane; D McFarland, J Fogarty, S Knoop; C Short, A Farley (capt); J Muldoon, J O'Sullivan, M Lacey. Replacements: B Jackman, R Hogan, P Myburgh, M Swift, C O'Loughlin, E Elwood, T Robinson.

GWENT DRAGONS: K Morgan; G Wyatt, S Winn, S Tuipulotu, N Brew; C Warlow, G Baber; R Snow, J Richards, C Anthony; I Gough, P Sidoli; J Ringer, R Oakley, J Forster (capt). Replacements (from): S Jones, K Crawford, A Black, R Thomas, R Beattie, J Bryant, B Breeze, AN Other.

Referee: Andrew Ireland (SRU)

Head to head (recent meetings): November 2003 (CL) at Rodney Parade: The Dragons 28 Connacht 19; May 2004 (CL) at Sportsground: Connacht 14 The Dragons 32. Leading points scorers: Connacht - Paul Warwick 69. Gwent Dragons - Ceri Sweeney 64. Leading try scorers: Connacht - Conor O'Loughlin 3. Gwent Dragons - Kevin Morgan 6.

Verdict: Connacht.