Vainkolo's debut bolsters Connacht's hopes

RABO DIRECT PRO 12: Connacht v Cardiff Blues, Today, kick-off - 6pm Sportsground, Galway, Live on RTÉ:THE BARE statistics of this evening's RaboDirect Pro 12 clash aren't that helpful in trying to determine a winner. Connacht have won eight or their last nine games at the Sportsground; their one defeat was against this evening's opponents.

Tongan World Cup winger Fetu’u Vainkolo will make his debut for the Irish province and on the evidence of a few glimpses at the recent World Cup he’s likely to prove popular with the local supporters. There is a nice balance to the backline and it’ll be interesting to note this season whether young centre Eoin Griffin can continue a previously impressive rate of development.

There are two changes in the frontrow with Adrian Flavin coming in at hooker and Rodney Ah You named at tighthead.

It’s fair to suggest that with 948 caps between them up front, the Connacht eight won’t lack experience.

Miah Nikora and George Naoupu have recovered from leg and knee injuries respectively to be included among the replacements.

Cardiff’s summer signing Gavin Henson is still troubled by a wrist injury so he doesn’t take part while others like Leigh Halfpenny, Jamie Roberts, Gethin Jenkins and Bradley Davies to name but a few have not been reintegrated yet following their exertions in the World Cup.

Martyn Williams is injured while Wales captain Sam Warburton is suspended.

Dan Parks, Fau Filise and John Yapp all start for the first time this season.

Connacht have only beaten the Welsh club once since 2005 but tonight, given an encouraging start to the season and the relative strength of the two teams, they just might banish those Blues.

CONNACHT:G Duffy (capt); F Vainikolo, E Griffin, H Fa'afili, T O'Halloran; N O'Connor, F Murphy; B Wilkinson, A Flavin, R Ah You; M Swift, M McCarthy; J Muldoon, J O'Connor, R Ofisa. Replacements: E Reynecke, R Loughney, D Rogers, D Gannon, G Naoupu, P O'Donohoe, M Nikora, B Tuohy.

CARDIFF BLUES:C Czekaj; A Cuthbert, C Laulala, D Hewitt; T James; Dan Parks, R Rees; J Yapp, T Rhys Jones, T Filise; M Paterson, P Tito; M Molitika, J Naividi, X Rush. Replacements: R Tyrrell, S Hobbs, S Andrews, D Jones, E Jenkins, L Jones, C Sweeney, G Evans.

Referee:N Paterson (Scotland).