Connacht aim to slay Dragons in Galway...
Connacht Rugby
By sea_point
April 12 2006
After a weeks break following their ERC Challenge Cup loss to Newcastle, Connacht are back in CL action taking on NG Dragons.Time to put right the ills that befell the team last time out, and to also put them back in the hunt for a Heineken Cup place.
Connacht v Dragons Sportsground, Galway Saturday 15th April 2006, 14:30 Connacht won last time out in the Celtic League: 11-9 against Border Reivers at Netherdale, but they have not won successive Celtic League matches since victories against the Ospreys and the Dragons in November 2004. Connacht after last weeks inaction will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing trip to Newcastle for their Challenge Cup 1/4 Final loss to the Falcons. They will however be bouyed by the news that Darren Yapp is back to full fitness. Yapp has recovered from a hamstring injury, which he picked up during the 11-9 victory over the Border Reivers last month. John Hearty is also back in training and could be back in action as early as the Friday night home tie with Edinburgh next month. The centre has made a swift recovery after sustaining a broken jaw in the defeat to Leinster. Connacht have also announced the signing of a new recruit for next season with the signing of Samoan born flanker Ray Ofisa from Otago. The 26 year old has spent the last three seasons playing NPC and will be a key addition to the Connacht back row next season.
Connacht have won just one of the five previous encounters they have played against the Dragons: 19-14 at the Sportsground in November 2004.
Referee: David Changleng (SRU). Touch Judges: Peter Roche (IRFU), Mark Gargan (IRFU) .
HEAD TO HEAD - RECENT MEETINGS
Sunday 23 November 2003 (Celtic League) at Rodney Parade Newport Gwent Dragons 28: Steve Jones(T) Ben Breeze(T) Hal Luscombe(T) Lee Jarvis(2C/3P) Connacht 19: Bernard Jackman(T) Mark McHugh(C/4P)
Saturday 1 May 2004 (Celtic League) at Sportsground Connacht 14: Matt Mostyn(2T) Eric Elwood(2C) Newport Gwent Dragons 32: Nathan Brew(T) Percy Montgomery(T/3C/2P) Hal Luscombe(T) Craig Warlow(T)
Sunday 28 November 2004 (Celtic League) at Sportsground Connacht 19: Matt Mostyn(T) Paul Warwick(C/D/3P) Newport Gwent Dragons 14: Gareth Baber(T) Craig Warlow(3P)
Saturday 16 April 2005 (Celtic League) at Rodney Parade Newport Gwent Dragons 24: Jason Forster(T) Ben Breeze(T) Kevin Morgan(2T) Ceri Sweeney(2C) Connacht 19: John O'Sullivan(T) Bernard Jackman(T) Brendan O'Connor(T) Paul Warwick(2C)
Friday 6 January 2006 (Celtic League) at Rodney Parade Newport Gwent Dragons 27: Gareth Chapman(T) Michael Owen(T) Penalty Try(T) Jason Forster(T) Craig Warlow(2C/P) Connacht 19: David Slemen(T/C/3P) Paul Warwick(P)