Connacht team to face Dragons

Head Coach, Eric Elwood, has made two personnel and two positional changes to the team that played Leinster last Saturday.

The province has been boosted by the return from injury of Fetu'u Vainikolo. The Tongan winger is the only change to the backline and is named alongside Robbie Henshaw and Danie Poolman in a young back three.

The front row trio of Denis Buckley, Jason Harris-Wright and Nathan White (captain) remains while Mike McCarthy comes into the second row to partner Michael Swift.

Meanwhile, in the back row, versatile forward George Naoupu returns to his regular Number 8 position and Eoin McKeon is moved to Openside flanker.

The first game of the New Year sees Connacht take on the team immediately below them in the league table. Kick off at the Sportsground this Saturday is at 5pm. The game is not televised and tickets are still available from the Connacht Rugby branch and ticketmaster.ie

Connacht XV v Dragons
15. Robbie Henshaw
14. Danie Poolman
13. Eoin Griffin
12. Dave McSharry
11. Fetu'u Vainikolo
10. Dan Parks
9. Kieran Marmion

1. Denis Buckley
2. Jason Harris-Wright
3. Nathan White (captain)
4. Michael Swift
5. Mike McCarthy
6. Andrew Browne
7. Eoin McKeon
8. George Naoupu

Replacements (from):
16. Ethienne Reynecke
17. Brett Wilkinson
18. Ronan Loughney
19. Mick Kearney
20. Eoghan Grace
21. Paul O'Donohoe
22. Matthew Jarvis
23. Tiernan O'Halloran

Connacht Rugby v Newport Gwent Dragons
At Sportsground, 5pm
Referee: Andrew MacMenemy (SRU, 18th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Mark Patton, Kevin Beggs (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: John Cole (IRFU)