Connacht desperate to end a poor run of results since their excellent back to back wins against Glasgow and Newcastle Falcons have made five changes and one positional switch for the home Magners League game against Llanelli Scarlets .   

The losses to the Falcons and Munster were on the road, so the team will be glad to be back Corrib-side, and with the backing of their vocal supporters to face the very obvious challenge that faces them on Friday night.

They’ll also be hoping for more sensitive (and sensible) handling of the game by Scottish referee Andy Macpherson having suffered recently at the hands of some dreadful officiating (an unfortunate feature wthout fail of games featuring Connacht).

Matt Mostyn, Mel Deane, Andrew Farley, Colm Rigney and Robbie Morris come in while Aidan Wynne moves to the wing. Former Ireland international winger Mostyn is set to start his first game for Connacht since November 2006 as he is named on the right wing.  

Deane has overcome his arm injury sustained against Newcastle Falcons last month to take his place at inside centre. Wynne, who started the game against Munster at 12 moves to the left wing, in place of the injured Ofisa Treviranus.  

In the forward pack, captain Andrew Farley starts once again in the second row while Rigney is named at number eight in place of the injured John Muldoon. Michael Swift has been included amongst the replacements. It was feared he would be out for the next two to three weeks with a knee ligament injury, but the injury is not as serious as first thought.  

Connacht coach Michael Bradley says he is wary of the Scarlets, who beat his side 34-11 at Stradey Park in September.  

"So far this year in the Magners League they've been the best side we've played by far and we respect them for the style of rugby they play, but they're coming to our backyard where we've performed well," said Bradley.  "We'll be concentrating on our own performance and if we perform to our potential then we will get something out of the game."  

For Scarlets' Dwayne Peel misses the visit to Connacht after damaging shoulder ligaments in the 15-13 loss at the Dragons. Peel's Scarlets and Wales half-back partner Stephen Jones is also out (thumb), with concerns the injuries could hurt their Six Nations hopes.  

The Scarlets have lost their last five games on the road, but they have won five of their last six against Connacht.  

"It was disappointing to lose at the Dragons in the last minute when we had the chance to go top, but we weren't clinical enough and paid for it," Scarlets back-rower Dafydd Jones told BBC Sport Wales.  "It's a short turnaround to face Connacht, but we're all working hard.  "We are definitely still in with a shot of the league title, we want to get something out of this season."  

Injuries: For Connacht John Hearty (hip), John Muldoon (back), Ofisa Treviranus (leg), Keith Matthews (calf), Liam Bibo (calf) are unavailable through injury . for Llanelli Alix Popham (leg), Matthew Rees (shoulder), Gavin Evans (hip) and Gavin Thomas (groin) all miss the Connacht game.

Prospects: With bottom side Ulster hosting Munster at Ravenhill, there’s an opportunity for Connacht to establish some breathing space in the desperate battle to avoid missing out on a Heineken Cup slot for next season 

Connacht to pull of surprise, but just about.....

Connacht: Gavin Duffy; Matt Mostyn, Daniel Riordan, Mel Deane, Adrian Wynne; Andy Dunne, Conor O'Loughlin; Brett Wilkinson, Adrain Flavin, Robbie Morris; David Gannon, Andrew Farley (c); Mike McCarthy, Johnny O'Connor, Colm Rigney. Replacements: John Fogarty, Ronan Loughney, Mike Swift, Ray Ofisa, Conor McPhillips, Tim Donnelly, Darren Yapp.  

Scarlets: Morgan Stoddart; Dafydd James, Matthew Watkins, Regan King, Mark Jones; Rhys Priestland, Liam Davies; Phil John, Matthew Rees, Bruce Douglas, Adam Eustace, Scott Macleod, Simon Easterby (capt), James Bater, Nathan Thomas. Replacements (from): Deacon Manu, James Hayter, Dafydd Jones, Jonathan Edwards, Gavin Cattle, Ceiron Thomas, Nathan Brew, Garan Evans, Daniel George.  

Referee: Andy Macpherson (SRU).   

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