Connacht team to face Cardiff Blues

Up front, Andrew Browne makes way for Aly Muldowney who slots into the second row alongside Mick Kearney.

Connacht Players' Player and Back of the Year Kieran Marmion will wear the number 9 jersey for his 25th start this season, partnering Miah Nikora at half back.

Robbie Henshaw is named at outside centre and links up with Galway-born Eoin Griffin, who will play his final game at the Sportsground before departing for London Irish next season.

After missing out on the previous round, substitute hooker Dave Heffernan has recovered from injury to take his place on the bench.

Attention will undoubtedly be directed towards named replacements Frank Murphy, Dan Parks and Gavin Duffy who will all be finishing with Connacht at the end of the season.

Commenting on the team selection and the upcoming game, Pat Lam said:

"This is a massive game for us. Cardiff are confident coming off the back of three good wins and in contrast we're after three straight losses. We're both fighting for strong finishes to the season and I've no doubt it will be a hard-fought game.

"There is of course a lot of emotion attached to this game and it's the last time a lot of guys will get the chance to play in front of the home crowd. It's a great opportunity for us all to acknowledge the contribution of these true Connacht servants.

"As a team, we've spoken a lot this week about channelling all that emotion into doing our jobs well and putting ourselves in a position to finish where no Connacht team has finished before."

Connacht line-up v Cardiff Blues

15. Darragh Leader
14. Danie Poolman
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Eoin Griffin
11. Matt Healy
10. Miah Nikora
9. Kieran Marmion

1. Ronan Loughney
2. Jason Harris-Wright
3. Rodney Ah You
4. Aly Muldowney
5. Mick Kearney
6. John Muldoon (captain)
7. Willie Faloon
8. Eoin McKeon

Replacements:

16. Dave Heffernan
17. Denis Buckley
18. Finlay Bealham
19. Michael Swift
20. Andrew Browne
21. Frank Murphy
22. Dan Parks
23. Gavin Duffy

Unavailable/Injured: Nathan White, Sean Henry, James Rael, Craig Clarke, Jake Heenan, Tiernan O'Halloran, and Paul O'Donohoe.

Connacht v Cardiff Blues
At the Sportsground, 5pm
Referee: Neil Paterson (SRU, 60th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Dudley Phillips, Olly Hodges (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Wayne Sheridan (IRFU)

Tickets for Saturday's game v Cardiff Blues are available online from tickets.ie, the Connacht Rugby office and selected Centra and SuperValu stores province-wide.

To celebrate our final home game of the 2013/14 season all kids aged 0-17 will be allowed free entry to this Saturday's RaboDirect PRO12 game against the Cardiff Blues.
Enjoy the family atmosphere this Saturday with:
• Bouncing castles
• Free face painting
• Kids games
• Free Ice Creams

Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.