Sufficient firepower even without Elwood

Connacht return to the competition which made their name last season in Newport today and, realistically, if they are to emulate their achievements of the last campaign, then their European Shield Pool A opener has to be targeted as a winnable one.

Though Newport are also appearing in this competition for the third year running and have equipped themselves reasonably well, they lost all 14 league matches last season. They were then only readmitted to the premier division on foot of Swansea and Cardiff's departure.

Thus, their budgetary increase from £70,000 to £400,000 came far too late for them to fill the gaping holes from domestic stock which had been created by the departure of Czech number eight Jan Machacek (scorer of seven tries in the competition), lock Ian Gough to Pontypridd and Alex Dawson. Of their four main men, only Canadian loose-head Rod Snow has remained.

Furthermore, their earmarked stalwarts up front, Gareth Taylor and former Welsh flanker Andrew Gibbs, are long-term injury casualties, leaving them with a back row that chase balls rather than taking them on.

On paper, their defeat at newly promoted Racing Club last week looked creditable but apparently it was a poor quality match. Nor has Newport's form this season been particularly distinguished, save for a ritual beating of Averavon.

With the inclusion of Mick Finlay and the return to arms of Billy Mulcachy and Barry Gavin, and Jimmy Screene reverting to loosehead, Connacht look to have one of their strongest selections - allowing for the continuing absence of Eric Elwood.

Even without their chief points hauler, with the whiff of Europe back in their nostrils Connacht ought to have enough firepower to set themselves up encouragingly for sterner tests ahead.

Newport: G King; M Llewellyn, S Mitchell, M J Watkins, A Harris; S Conner, N Lloyd; R Snow, I Jones, S Cronk, J Sulway, O Booyse, R Stride, M Workman, A Popham.

Connacht: W Ruane; R Southam, P Duignan, M Murphy (capt), A Reddan; S Allnutt, C McGuinness; J Screene, B Mulcahy, M Finlay, G Heaslip, J Duffy, J Charlie, B Gavin, I Dillon. Replacements - D Reddan, O Cobbe, N Carolan, J Maher, J McVeigh, M Cahill, S McEntee.

Referee: R Duhau (France).