Connacht team to face Glasgow Warriors

There are 10 changes from the side that was named to play Zebre in the last round three weeks ago.

Ireland internationals Tiernan O’Halloran and Kieran Marmion return to take their place in the backline with Jack Carty restored at outhalf.

Craig Ronaldson partners Bundee Aki in midfield while Niyi Adeolokun and Stacey Ili continue on the wings.

Up front, Denis Buckley and Finlay Bealham pack down in the front row with hooker Tom McCartney. The second row partnership is made up of Quinn Roux and Andrew Browne, the Galway man marking his 150^th appearance for the province.

Sean O’Brien, Jake Heenan and captain John Muldoon all return to make up the back row.

From the bench, Ireland 7’s player Josh Rowland is in line to make his first appearance for Connacht having recovered from a long-term ankle injury.

Commenting on the upcoming game, Pat Lam said:

“We’re hugely excited to be back playing this weekend and in such a big game with vital points needed by both teams.

“All our games with Glasgow are challenging, particularly in Scotstoun where we have never won. But that chance to create a bit of history just adds to the excitement for us. We know there is little room for error as we look towards the business end of the season but all we can do is focus on the next job at hand and our performance tomorrow afternoon.”

Connacht team to face Glasgow Warriors    

Saturday March 25^th, kick off 17:15, Scotstoun Stadium     

(Connacht caps in brackets)

15           Tiernan O’Halloran (122)
14           Niyi Adeolokun (53)
13           Bundee Aki (55)
12           Craig Ronaldson (62)
11           Stacey Ili (11)
10           Jack Carty (75)
9             Kieran Marmion (116)

1             Denis Buckley (112)
2             Tom McCartney (59)
3             Finlay Bealham (76)
4             Quinn Roux (51)
5             Andrew Browne (149)
6             Sean O’Brien (34)
7             Jake Heenan (49)
8             John Muldoon (296) (captain)

Replacements:

16          Dave Heffernan (79)
17          Ronan Loughney (190)
18          Dominic Robertson-McCoy (5)
19          James Cannon (12)
20          Naulia Dawai (8)
21          John Cooney (35)
22          Tom Farrell (5)
23          Josh Rowland (0)

Injured/Unavailable: Conor Carey, Ultan Dillane, Nepia Fox-Matamua, Marnitz Boshoff, Peter Robb, Matt Healy, Danie Poolman, Cian Kelleher, Darragh Leader.

GLASGOW WARRIORS v CONNACHT RUGBY
Saturday 25^th March
At Scotstoun Stadium, 5.15pm
Live on Sky Sports

Referee: Ian Davies (WRU, 60^th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Sean Brickell (WRU), Bob Nevins (SRU)
Citing Commissioner: John Montgomery (SRU)
TMO: Jon Mason (WRU)