Connacht Rugby have announced the starting XV that will face the Glasgow Warriors this Saturday (The Sportsground, Galway – kick-off 17.30)

Head Coach Eric Elwood has made just two changes to last week’s team with flanker Ray Ofisa unavailable through a knee injury sustained in that bonus point loss to the Cardiff Blues and Dave McSharry making way in the centre for Henry Fa'afili.

Eoghan Grace claims the number 7 jersey in Ray's absence; the 6’2 openside earned his 1^st Connacht cap against Ulster in Ravenhill this season after joining Connacht from the Exeter Chiefs last Summer. Though Grace has been missing for large parts the season through injury he has impressed selectors with outstanding performances for Buccaneers in recent weeks. Speaking about his call-up Grace said:

“I’m delighted to be selected; it’s been a real rollercoaster of a year so to be given the opportunity to start in front of the home crowd is a huge boost. I had a good run at it up in Ulster and it was a huge experience but I’m really looking forward to the Sportsground crowd this weekend. I’m just looking forward to getting stuck in and doing my best, we know what’s ahead of us but we also know that past results have gone our way so there’s a bit of confidence in the squad.”

Connacht Rugby will hold a minute’s silence before the game for former colleague David O’Hara who passed away tragically this week. David was a Club Community Rugby Officer who worked with an Ghaeltacht and Oughterard rugby clubs and was also a popular member of Galwegians RFC.

Connacht XV to face Glasgow (The Sportsground, Galway, Saturday 18^th Feb, ko 17.30)

15 Gavin Duffy (C)

14 Fetu’u Vainikolo

13 Kyle Tonetti

12 Henry Fa'afili

11 Tiernan O’Halloran

10 Niall O’Connor

09 Paul O’Donohoe

01 Brett Wilkinson

02 Adrian Flavin

03 Ronan Loughney

04 Michael Swift

05 Mike McCarthy

06 John Muldoon

07 Eoghan Grace

08 George Naoupu

16 Ethienne Reynecke

17 Denis Buckley

18 Stewart Maguire

19 Dave Gannon

20 Mick Kearney

21 Dave Moore

22 Matthew Jarvis

23 Eoin Griffin

Pictured in action against Ulster (above right) is Eoghan Grace and (below) made an impact against Ospresy in November despite a broken nose (C) www.inpho.ie