Connacht resume CL Action against Border Reivers


Cletic LeagueRugby
By Rob Murphy & Sea_Point
March 22 2006

Connacht are back in action this weekend with a trip on to Netherdale on Friday (7:30) in the heartland of Scottish rugby to take on the Border Reivers. Connacht will be looking to build some momentum ahead of their clash with Newcastle in the European Challenge Cup one week later.

Connacht head back into action this weekend with an akward trip to Netherdale, Galashields on Friday (7:30)  to take on the Border Reivers in the heartland of Scottish rugby. Connacht will be looking to bounce back from their narrow defeat away to Leinster at the start of the month and build some momentum ahead of their clash with Newcastle in the European Challenge Cup one week later.

Border Reivers play their first home match in the Celtic League since beating Cardiff Blues 26-23 at Netherdale on 8 January, although their only victory in their last seven encounters with Irish opposition was 17-15 over Connacht in Galway in September. Connacht are in the midst of a four game unbeaten run at home but on the road in that period they have lost to the Dragons, Catania and Leinster. Connacht’s last victory away from home was the 19-16 victory over Montpellier in October.

Borders have already surpassed their highest ever wins tally in the Celtic League with six wins, their previous high was four in 2003/04. Borders have scored a total of 221 points this season Connacht have scored 222. However defensively borders are doing that bit better with 270 conceded to Connacht's 344.

The two sides have met on seven previous occasions in Celtic League and Cup with Connacht having the edge by five wins to two. Connacht have won twice in three previous visits to Netherdale. Whilst there is no doubt that the Borders are a much improved outift this season, which is reflected in the number of capped International players in their squad (13).

Connacht coach Michael Bradley received mix news this week ahead of his side’s Celtic League clash with Border Reivers at Netherdale on Friday (7:30). Prop Stephen Knoop and winger Conor McPhillips have both been passed fit to play but centre Keith Matthews remains a doubt.

Knoop has recovered from an ankle injury sustained in January, while McPhillips has recovered from a groin injury that forced him to miss the Leinster game. Up until the March 2nd fixture, the winger had played every game this season. Centre Keith Matthews injured his quad muscle in the Leinster game and is a concern for this weekend.  John Hearty broke his jaw in that game and is now on the long-term injured list.

The Connacht team will be named tomorrow morning.

Connacht Squad (26):
Forwards: Ray Hogan, Adrian Clarke, Stephen Knoop, Michael Diffley, John Fogarty, Joe Merrigan, Christian Short, Andrew Farley, David Gannon, Michael Swift, Matt Lacey, Colm Rigney, Matt Lacey, John Muldoon.

Backs: Chris Keane, Tom Tierney, Conor O’Loughlin, David Slemen, Paul Warwick, Mark McHugh, Andrew Mailei, Gavin Williams, Darren Yapp, Conor McPhillips, Matt Mostyn.

Officials:

Referee: James Jones (WRU).

Touch Judges: Andy Ireland (SRU), Ronnie Dumma (SRU).

Record: Connacht v Border Reivers