Connacht Rugby have announced the starting XV that will face Gloucester this weekend (Kingsholm, Saturday 17th December, kick-off 15.40)

The side sees just 2 changes from the starting team that narrowly lost out to Gloucester last weekend. Johnny O'Connor's timely return to full fitness sees him replace Ray Ofisa who was taken off with a knee injury while Eoin Griffin steps in for Kyle Tonetti who moves to the bench. The only other change sees Dylan Rogers replace Denis Buckley as replacement prop.

Connacht have recently been boosted with the re-signing of four key contracts and all four will start this weekend's match. Centres Eoin Griffin and Dave McSharry have both committed the next two years to the Province as has John Muldoon with Johnny O'Connor singing up until at least the end on the 2012/13season.

Connacht XV to face Gloucester in Kingsholm (Saturday 17th December, kick-off 15.40)

15 Gavin Duffy (C)

14 Mark McCrea

13 Eoin Griffin

12 Dave McSharry

11 Tiernan O'Halloran

10 Niall O'Connor

09 Frank Murphy

01 Brett Wilkinson

02 Ethienne Reynecke

03 Ronan Loughney

04 George Naoupu

05 Mike McCarthy

06 Dave Gannon 

07 Johnny O'Connor

08 John Muldoon 

16 Adrian Flavin

17 Dylan Rogers

18 Rodney Ah You

19 Mick Kearney

20 Eoin McKeon

21 Paul O'Donohoe

22 Matthew Jarvis

23 Kyle Tonetti