Connacht team to face Glasgow Warriors

In his first appearance of the season, Connacht and the league's highest capped player Michael Swift has replaced Quinn Roux in the second row for tomorrow's encounter with Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium (kick off 19:35).

Tighthead Prop Rodney Ah You and Number 8 George Naoupu will also earn their first starts of the season in an altered pack after both coming on from the bench in all three previous games.

Galway man Eoin McKeon moves to openside flanker this week and joins Robbie Henshaw in marking his 50th appearance for Connacht tomorrow night.

Danie Poolman has recovered from the illness that forced him to withdraw last week, to take his place on the right wing while Matt Healy moves to the left.

Meanwhile, 26-year-old new recruit Ian Porter has been named at scrum half.

Connacht line-up v Glasgow Warriors

15. Darragh Leader
14. Danie Poolman
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Dave McSharry
11. Matt Healy
10. Jack Carty
9. Ian Porter

1. Denis Buckley
2. Dave Heffernan
3. Rodney Ah You
4. Michael Swift
5. Aly Muldowney
6. John Muldoon ©
7. Eoin McKeon
8. George Naoupu

Replacements:
16. Shane Delahunt
17. Ronan Loughney
18. Nathan White
19. Quinn Roux
20. Mick Kearney
21. John Cooney
22. Craig Ronaldson
23. Fionn Carr

Unavailable/Injured: Jason Harris-Wright, Sean Henry, Tom McCartney, Andrew Browne, Jake Heenan, Tiernan O'Halloran, Bundee Aki, Mils Muliaina.

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

"It's been three physical games so far and we've made very few changes until now. Glasgow is likely to be one of our most physical clashes of the season so it's the right time to bring in fresh legs and welcome in the experience up front of guys like George, Rodney and especially Swifty who has been raring to go for a few weeks now. The impact that Mick (Kearney) and Quinn (Roux) can provide from the bench is also very important.

"Willie (Faloon) took part in training this week after the Leinster game but with our options depleted at seven, we want to give him a break and the chance to ensure he's 100% come the following week.

"The same goes with the changes in the backs with Niyi (Adeolokun) and Kieran (Marmion). Niyi needs a break to recover and Kieran has played a lot of rugby over the last two seasons and has naturally taken a few knocks along the way. It's important that we manage his game time to ensure that he has the best opportunity to perform at the highest level throughout the season. We have full faith in our new scrumhalf recruits Ian (Porter) and John (Cooney) who have really embraced the Connacht culture and are excited about taking their opportunity this week.

"As a team, we are happy with our progress but we know ourselves that there is a lot of work to be done and, at the end of the day, we have won three games. It's a long season ahead. We go into tomorrow's game just one point behind Glasgow, but there is no doubt that this will be one of our toughest games of the season. With Gregor Townsend, Glasgow are a well-coached side and, as we have seen, not many teams can go to Scotstoun and take a win from them. But we have taken a lot of encouragement from the last three tight games and once again we will be fully focussed on the process of playing as a team for this huge challenge."

Glasgow Warriors v Connacht
Scotstoun Stadium
Friday 26th September
Kick off 19:35

Referee: Cladio Blessano (FIR, 6th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Mike Adamson, Stephen Ward (both SRU)
Citing Commissioner: John Montgomery (SRU)