BLUES HOST CONNACHT IN TRICKY TIE

Connacht, with back to back wins over Grenoble have now set up a European semi-final for the second year in succession. The Irishmen have won four of their last five matches at the Galway Sportsground and their last three games against Welsh opponents at all venues.   The Blues ended an eight match losing run with a 16-12 victory over Ulster at the Arms Park on Sunday, and will be anxious to stop a sequence of five successive Celtic League defeats. The Blues have not won in Ireland since a 22-18 victory over Leinster at Donnybrook last March.   The Blues have won all three previous matches they have played against Connacht, including a 31-6 win at the Arms Park in September. Both sides are still to be confirmed.

Connacht: M Mostyn; C McPhillips, D Yapp, J Downey, T Robinson; P Warwick, C Keane; R Hogan, B Jackman, S Knoop, C Short, A Farley, J Muldoon, M Lacey, J O’Sullivan.
Replacements: D McFarland, J Fogarty, P Myburgh, M Swift, T Tierney, D Slemen, M McHugh.

Blues: C Morgan; J Vaughton, T Shanklin (capt), T Davies, D Dewdney; N MacLeod, R Powell; J Yapp, R Thomas, G Jenkins, D Jones, R Sidoli, N Thomas, R Sowden-Taylor, K Schubert.
Replacements: S James, L Thomas, J Bryant, M Molitika, N Budgett, G Williams, M Jones.

Referee: Malcolm Changleng (SRU).