By Sea_point
January 26 2007

Out of Europe, Connacht head to Scotland in the Magners League to try salvage a once promising season as they face Edinburgh. The Scots although also out of European competition will prove a tough nut to crack, especially with a squad containing eight current Interntional players.

Date: Friday 26 January

Venue: Murrayfield

Kick-off: 19:30 (GMT)

Referee: Neil Ballard (Wales)  - Touch judges: Andy Ireland (Scotland), David Anderson (Scotland)

Coverage:

Television: Setanta Sports (UK Only: Live - 7.30 pm, Ireland Only: Delayed - 9:30pm)

Radio:  Galway Bay FM

Connacht coach Michael Bradley has named his starting XV, which shows four changes to the side that faced NEC Harlequins in the European Challenge Cup match at the Twickenham Stoop. There is also one positional change as John Hearty switches from outside centre to right wing in place of the injured Ted Robinson, while his place in midfield is taken by Gavin Williams. Connacht retain the emerging half back partnership of Conor O’Loughlin and Paul Warwick, O’Loughlin is back to he best form after lengthy periods out over the last two seasons with injury. He’s appears to have lost none of his pace, and was the scorer of Connacht’s only try against Harlequins.

Andrew Farley and David Gannon return to partner each other in the second row for the sixteenth time this season in place of Michael Swift and Ryan Strudwick. Colm Rigney is recalled to the starting line-up at number eight in place of Brendan O'Connor who is named among the replacements. With John Muldoon still on the injury list Matt Lacey joins Rigney and the Duracell charged Ray Ofisa in the back row. Ray Hogan is named among the replacements, having recovered from a hamstring injury he picked up against Munster. 

A promising start to their Magners League campaign has faded into memory as Connacht have repeatedly allowed desperately needed points to slip from their grasp, individual performances have been excellent at times but the question remains whether this team is capable of taking advantage of the impending six nations effect on opposition squads. An extremely disappointing European run having come to an end at the Stoop last weekend will not have done much to boost morale. However there is sufficient talent in this team to beat most sides in this league, if they apply themselves consistently throughout the eighty minutes. And for the sake of the remainder of their season, Connacht badly need to take some points out of this tricky tie..

Meanwhile, Edinburgh welcome back several players from injury for their Magners League match against Connacht at Murrayfield on Friday. Allister Hogg and Simon Webster are in action for the first time since early November. Also returning to the side are Matt Dey and Matt Mustchin, with Greig Laidlaw named on the bench.

Edinburgh also name their newest recruit has also been named among the replacements. Prop David Young has just joined the club on a loan deal from Leicester Tigers and will remain in the capital until the end of the season.

"It is good to have some of the senior players back available for us. Their experience can only enhance

the confidence of the younger players around them, “said Edinburgh coach Lynn Howells.

"Connacht have proved to be a very difficult side to play against.

"Even outside the Magners League, they don't lose by many points so tomorrow night will be about producing a performance for 80 minutes."

Form:

Edinburgh have won just one of their last six games in all competitions: 24-14 over Llanelli Scarlets at Murrayfield in the Magners League on 5 January. At Murrayfield Edinburgh have won five of their last six encounters in the Magners League.

Connacht have lost five in a row in all competitions since defeating Montpellier 26-13 in Galway in the European Challenge Cup on December 8. Connacht have not won away from home since a 29-15 victory over Border Reivers at Netherdale on September 1. Connacht's last win over Edinburgh was 16-13 at Murrayfield in March 2005.

The teams:

Edinburgh: 15 Andrew Easson, 14 Matt Dey, 13 Ben Cairns, 12 Rob Dewey, 11 Simon Webster, 10 Duncan Hodge (c), 9 John Senio, 8 Allister Hogg, 7 Ross Rennie, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 5 Scott Murray, 4 Matt Mustchin, 3 Geoff Cross, 2 Steven Lawrie, 1 Allan Jacobsen

Replacements: 16 Andrew Kelly, 17 David Young, 18 Chris Bentley, 19 Alan MacDonald, 20 Greig Laidlaw, 21 Phil Godman, 22 Lucio Lopez Fleming

Connacht: 15 Daniel Riordan, 14 John Hearty, 13 Gavin Williams, 12 Mark McHugh, 11 Conor McPhillips, 10 Paul Warwick, 9 Conor O'Loughlin, 8 Colm Rigney, 7 Ray Ofisa, 6 M Lacey, 5 Andrew Farley, 4 David Gannon, 3 Stephen Knoop, 2 John Fogarty (c),1 Brett Wilkinson

Replacements: 16 Adrian Flavin, 17 Ray Hogan, 18 Michael Swift, 19 Brendon O'Connor, 20 Chris Keane, 21 Peter Durcan, 22 David Slemen