By Sea_point
September 28 2006

Connacht coach Michael Bradley has announced a squad of 25 ahead of their Magners League clash with Leinster at the Sportsground on Friday evening (6.30pm).

MAGNERS LEAGUE: Friday, September 29

CONNACHT v LEINSTER

The Sportsground, 6.30pm

Team News:   

Good news for management and supporters this week is that Ireland ‘A’ prop Ray Hogan looks set to join the match squad for the first time this season since his exploits in the Churchill Cup. Another timely boost for Connacht is the inclusion of Paul Warwick and Ted Robinson who have recovered from injury.

 

Connacht will be looking to build on the momentum they've already generated. Having won their opening two encounters, Connacht drew with Edinburgh Gunners last weekend. Connacht are seventh in the Magners League table with Leinster one position below. Connacht could move ten points clear of Leinster in the Magners League table if they defeat their provincial rivals on Friday.

 

In an interview for IrishRugby.ie, team manager Tim Alnutt answered a few questions on the lips of most Connacht Supporters. First up was the current injuries and availabilities status…

“IrishRugby.ie: Firstly Tim, how is your prop Brett Sturgess after the injury he sustained against Edinburgh last week?

Tim Allnutt: Brett Sturgess injured his ribs against Edinburgh but it is not as bad as first thought. He's rated at 50/50 for the Leinster game.

IR: Do you expect any changes to the side for Friday's derby game? And how has training gone this week? Could you outline the training schedule you work off?

TA: We have had a settled team for the first four games of the season and I expect that to continue for the match against Leinster. The training this week has been good and the squad have a very good work ethic.”

On the subject of the game itself:

IR: This game will surely go a long way to determining how good a season it will be for Connacht - would you agree?

TA: It is a huge game, no doubt, and there is a lot riding on it but our goal is to qualify for the Heineken Cup so the next six games are all massive. We will take it one game at a time.

IR: Last week's attendance of 1,065 at the Sportsground must have been a big let down? Is this a concern for you?

TA: We have started Friday night rugby and it is taking off as our attendances are up on last season and we have a fantastic core support, but it would be great to have more people turn up. The atmosphere for the Ospreys game, earlier this month, was the best we have ever had and I am sure that this Friday will be even better.

 

For true Connacht die-hards and early arriving Leinster supporters the weekend of rugby kicks off earlier in the day, at Crowley Park in Galway, as Connacht 'A' look for revenge against a Leinster 'A' side, who beat them narrowly last Friday by a late try (3pm).

Connacht Squad: Michael Diffley, Andrew Farley, Adrian Flavin, John Fogarty, David Gannon, Ray Hogan, Chris Keane, Matt Lacey, Keith Matthews, Mark McHugh, Conor McPhillips, Matt Mostyn, John Muldoon, Ray Ofisa, Colm Rigney, Daniel Riordan, Ted Robinson, David Slemen, Brett Sturgess, Michael Swift, Tom Tierney, Paul Warwick, Brett Wilkinson, Gavin Williams, Darren Yapp.

Leinster Squad: Felipe Contepomi, Reggie Corrigan, Gordon D'Arcy, Girvan Dempsey, Guy Easterby, Owen Finegan, Luke Fitzgerald, Keith Gleeson, Will Green, Jamie Heaslip, Denis Hickie, Trevor Hogan, Shane Horgan, Bernard Jackman, Stephen Keogh, Ronan McCormack, Brian O'Driscoll, Malcolm O'Kelly, Niall Ronan, Harry Vermaas, Christian Warner, Chris Whitaker

Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland)
Touch Judges: George Clancy, Leo Colgan (both Ireland)

PREVIOUS LEAGUE MEETINGS:

September 2002	Leinster	23	V	26	Connacht	Donnybrook
October 2003	Leinster	21	V	6	Connacht	Donnybrook
March 2004	Connacht	35	V	24	Leinster	Sportsground
November 2004	Leinster	18	V	9	Connacht	Donnybrook
March 2005	Connacht	21	V	26	Leinster	Sportsground
December 2005	Connacht	9	V	21	Leinster	Sportsground
March 2006	Leinster	16	V	13	Connacht	Donnybrook

 

Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against
7	2	0	5	119	149

 

MATCH FACTS:

- Mark McHugh salvaged a 22-all draw for Connacht last Friday against Edinburgh at the Sportsground. This game is Connacht's seventh home game in their last eight matches and they are due to play two more games in Galway before this current home run ends

- Mark McHugh is second highest points scorer in the Magners League to date with 58, comprised of 1 try, 4 conversions and 15 penalties.  While Felipe Contepomi is joint ninth, with 28 points. (The leading scorer is veteran Ulster flyhalf David Humphreys on 71 points).

- In all Mark McHugh has now compiled 277 points, closing in fast on the legendary Eric Elwood who finished his playing career with 293 Magners/Celtic League points.

- Leinster's previous six league games have gone: won, lost, won, lost, won, lost. But away from home, they have won just once in their last four road trips - last May's 31-8 defeat of Edinburgh

- Leinster have won their last four matches against their fellow provinces in the league

- Leinster have also won their last four games against Connacht, with the westerners' most recent victory in the fixture coming back in March 2004 at the Sportsground

- Since that 35-24 victory over Leinster in March 2004, when back rows Matt Lacey (2) and John O'Sullivan, lock Andrew Farley and centre Darren Yapp all ran in tries, Connacht have struggled to cross the whitewash against the men from the east.

They have only scored three tries in their last four fixtures with Leinster - Lacey (2) and now departed centre Andrew Mailei shared those touch downs out