By Sea_Point
April 27 2006

Connacht's battle for Heineken Cup rugby will continue this Saturday evening (live on Setanta Sports (Ireland) @17.25 & S4C @17.10.) when they travel to highflying Cardiff.

Connacht's battle for Heineken Cup rugby will continue this Saturday evening (live on Setanta Sports (Ireland) @17.25 & S4C @17.10.) when they travel to highflying Cardiff.

Andrew Farley has recovered from a back injury and will be available for selection for the Western province. Connacht's captain missed the victory over Dragons in the previous round but has been passed fit to play this week. Outside centre John Hearty is also back to full fitness having recovered from a broken jaw sustained in the defeat to Leinster on March 5. Meanwhile Dan McFarland has been added to a squad of 25 as cover for Ray Hogan who has a foot injury. Good news for coach Michael Bradley is that there are currently no other major injury concerns ahead of Saturday.

Connacht are just five points outside a Heineken Cup play off position after the Dragons lost their third game on the bounce last Saturday to Llanelli. Cardiff trail league leaders Leinster by five points in the race for the Celtic League title and have taken 23 points from a possible 25 in their last five games. Cardiff Blues require just two more league points to guarantee qualification for the Heineken Cup next season as one of the top 3 Welsh sides. The Blues are in top form at the moment gaining five successive wins in the Celtic League which has seen them move up to third in the table.

To qualify for the Heineken Cup play off, Connacht will need to finish ahead of the lowest ranked teams from Wales, currently the Dragons, and Scotland, currently Glasgow, which will set up a tie with Italy¹s third ranked side in June. Connacht have won back to back matches in the Celtic League against the Borders and the Dragons, the Irishmen have not won three in a row in the competition since season 2002/3. Connacht have struggled away from home this term gaining just six league points from their nine trips so far. They must win to keep up their push for the Heineken Cup play off spot.

Connacht beat Cardiff Blues for the first time ever earlier this season (on 3 September) at the Galway Sportsground with a 13-9 victory, but Saturdays fixture is against a re-vitalised Cardiff side under coach Dai Young.

Cardiff Team:

Rhys Williams (c), Chris Czekaj, Marc Stcherbina, Tristan Davies, Craig Morgan, Nick Robinson, Mike Phillips, Xavier Rush, Robin Sowden-Taylor, Kort Schubert, Rob Sidoli, Deiniol Jones, Gethin Jenkins, Rhys Thomas, John Yapp

Replacements: Scott Roberts, Duane Goodfield, Mark Lewis, Martyn Williams, Ryan Powell, Nick Macleod, Lee Thomas

Connacht Squad (24)
Forwards: Adrian Clarke, Andrew Farley, John Fogarty, Andrew Gallagher, David Gannon, Ray Hogan, Stephen Knoop, Matt Lacey, Dan McFarland, Joe Merrigan, John Muldoon, Colm Rigney, Christian Short, Michael Swift,

Backs: John Hearty, Chris Keane, Andrew Mailei, Mark McHugh, Conor McPhillips, Matt Mostyn, David Slemen, Tom Tierney, Paul Warwick, Gavin Williams, Darren Yapp,

Referee: Peter Allan (SRU) Touch Judges: Huw David (WRU), Phil Harrhy (WRU).

HEAD TO HEAD - RECENT MEETINGS
Saturday 13 September 2003 (Celtic League) at Arms Park Cardiff Blues 33: Nick Macleod(T) Jamie Robinson(T) Dean Dewdney(T) Nick Robinson(3C/4P) Connacht 17: John O'Sullivan(T) Conor McPhillips(2T) Eric Elwood(C)

Saturday 21 February 2004 (Celtic League) at Dubarry Park Connacht 18: Adrian Clarke(T) Mike McCarthy(T) Eric Elwood(C/2P) Cardiff Blues 21: Nick Robinson(2T/C/3P)

Friday 24 September 2004 (Celtic League) at Arms Park Cardiff Blues 31: Tom Shanklin(T) Rhys Williams(T) Craig Morgan(T) Dean Dewdney(T) Nick Macleod(C/3P) Connacht 6: Paul Warwick(2P)

Saturday 22 January 2005 (Celtic League) at Sportsground Connacht 8: James Downey(T) Paul Warwick(P) Cardiff Blues 18: Nick Macleod(C/2P) Dean Dewdney(2T)

Saturday 3 September 2005 (Celtic League) at Sportsground Connacht 13: Conor McPhillips(T) Paul Warwick(C/D/P) Cardiff Blues 9: Nick Robinson(3P)