Connacht team to face Cardiff Blues

Ireland international Kieran Marmion returns to the starting line-up to mark his 60th Connacht appearance while wing Niyi Adeolokun and centre Craig Ronaldson represent the other changes to the young back line.

Up front, Galway born prop Ronan Loughney earns his first start of the season after coming on from the bench in the last two rounds. Nathan White also comes in to the front row with Mick Kearney and Quinn Roux starting behind them in the pack. After missing last week's game away to Glasgow Warriors, Willie Faloon returns to start at openside flanker.

Meanwhile, Leitrim-born back Shane Layden is promoted to the bench following his fullback debut in round 1.

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

"Kieran (Marmion), Niyi (Adeolokun) and Willie (Faloon) return to the starting line-up after a break last week to recover from niggles and are all raring to go.

"With Dave (McSharry) taking on a huge physical workload in the last four games, we're going to manage him this week. It's great to give an opportunity to young Craig (Ronaldson) at 12 who has done well for us coming off the bench and will also offer us added kicking options.

"Up front we have some bruised bodies from the last few weeks so there is some rotation in the pack - it's great to have some depth there to allow us to mix it up.

"Cardiff is a team full of quality internationals led by British & Irish Lions' captain Sam Warburton. Despite losing three from four, I can see the influence new coach Mark Hammett is having and the improvements they're making week on week. We have no doubt that this is going to be a tough game.

"But for us, getting the four points this week is the priority. While we'll be focussed on the process, the support from our fans will help us massively. Against Leinster two weeks ago, I had never experienced that sort of noise, and it would be awesome if our supporters can replicate that again and some more tomorrow night."

Connacht line-up v Cardiff Blues

15. Darragh Leader
14. Niyi Adeolokun
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Craig Ronaldson
11. Danie Poolman
10. Jack Carty
9. Kieran Marmion

1. Ronan Loughney
2. Dave Heffernan
3. Nathan White
4. Mick Kearney
5. Quinn Roux
6. John Muldoon ©
7. Willie Faloon
8. George Naoupu

Replacements:
16. Shane Delahunt
17. Denis Buckley
18. Rodney Ah You
19. Aly Muldowney
20. Eoin McKeon
21. Ian Porter
22. Fionn Carr
23. Shane Layden

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

CONNACHT v CARDIFF BLUES
At Sportsground, 7.35pm
Live on TG4
Referee: Neil Paterson (SRU, 62nd competition game)
Assistant Referees: Andy Brace, John Carvill (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: John Cole (IRFU)
TMO: Dermot Moloney (IRFU)

There are still Tickets remaining for the Main Stand, Seated Stand, and behind the goals, for Connacht v Cardiff on Friday 3rd October at the Sportsground. Adult tickets start at €20 while it's just €5 for all Juniors.

Tickets can be purchased online on www.tickets.ie, from Centra or SuperValu stores province-wide or from the Connacht Rugby office at the Sportsground (9am - 5pm Mon - Fri).