Connacht team to face Scarlets

With a number of injury concerns after last Saturday's bonus point win over Newport Gwent Dragons Elwood has included new Summer signing Darragh Fanning and Connacht Academy star Shane Conneely in the 25 man squad. Fanning impressed in the preseason matches against Harelquins and Saracens and is brought in as cover in the backline whilst Conneely has a proven track record for Connacht at U18 & U20 level and the 20 year old versatile backrow player has been rewarded for a good preseason with inclusion in the senior squad. Former Queensland Reds no.8 Ezra Taylor has been ruled out of the game after suffering a knock to his knee against the Dragons.

Eric Elwood is expecting a backlash from the Scarlets after they lost against Bennetton Treviso last weekend:
"You have to expect a backlash and with our record over their they will probably be expecting to win by 5 points, conversely we are looking to improve our away form, we have set ourselves a good target for this week, that's the challenge and we're looking forward to it"

Connacht Squad to face Scarlets:

Forwards:

Ronan Loughney, Brett Wilkinson, Sean Cronin, Adrian Flavin, Rob Sweeney, Jamie Hagan, Dave Nolan, Michael Swift, Bernie Upton, Michael McCarthy, Ray Ofisa, Mike McComish, Shane Conneely

Backs:

Cillian Willis, Frank Murphy, Miah Nikora, Ian Keatley, Fionn Carr, Keith Matthews, Niva Taauso, Tiernan OHalloran, Aidan Wynne, Troy Nathan, Gavin Duffy, Darragh Fanning.