Connacht v Glasgow Warriors: Guinness PRO12 preview
By Tony Tighe
Last Updated: 03/09/16 4:59pm
Connacht begin the defence of their Guinness PRO12 title against 2015 winners Glasgow on Saturday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 5pm.
The Irish province recorded back-to-back victories over the Warriors at the Sportsground in May to book their place in the final, where they defeated Leinster to lift their first piece of silverware.
Just eight of the team that started the PRO12 final at Murrayfield will feature on Saturday as Connacht coach Pat Lam hands a debut to full-back Cian Kelleher, who joined from Leinster.
Eoin Griffin starts alongside Bundee Aki in midfield on his return following two years at London Irish, while Denis Buckley starts in the front row following a long-term ankle injury.
"Games against Glasgow are always tough and uncompromising and with their impressive selection of international players, we expect that to be no different on Saturday," said Pat Lam.
Glasgow hand a debut to Italy wing Leonardo Sarto while their Scotland trio of Stuart Hogg, Tommy Seymour and Jonny Gray return after missing their pre-season fixtures.
Former All Blacks hooker Corey Flynn and Namibia international lock Tjiuee Uanivi could make their debuts if introduced from the bench.
Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend said: "Our players have worked extremely hard over pre-season and we're looking forward to going back to the Sportsground.
"Connacht are the champions and I'm sure they will be full of confidence playing at home again. They played some outstanding rugby last season and they will be formidable opponents for us.
"We have an experienced group heading to Ireland, one which will be full of determination to do much better than on our previous visit. It should be a fascinating contest."
Connacht: 15 Cian Kelleher, 14 Niyi Adeolokun, 13 Eoin Griffin, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Matt Healy, 10 Jack Carty, 9 Caolin Blade; 1 Denis Buckley, 2 Tom McCartney, 3 Finlay Bealham, 4 Ultan Dillane, 5 Danny Qualter, 6 Eoin McKeon, 7 Nepia Fox-Matamua, 8 John Muldoon (c).
Replacements: 16 Dave Hefferenan, 17 Ronan Loughney, 18 JP Cooney, 19 Lewis Stevenson, 20 James Connolly, 21 Kieran Marmion, 22 Shane O'Leary, 23 Peter Robb.
Glasgow Warriors: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Leonardo Sarto, 13 Alex Dunbar, 12 Sam Johnson, 11 Tommy Seymour, 10 Peter Horne, 9 Henry Pyrgos (co-capt); 1 Gordon Reid, 2 Pat MacArthur, 3 Zander Fagerson, 4 Tim Swinson, 5 Jonny Gray (co-captain), 6 Rob Harley, 7 Simone Favaro, 8 Ryan Wilson.
Replacements: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Ryan Grant, 18 Sila Puafisi, 19 Tjiuee Uanivi, 20 Lewis Wynne, 21 Ali Price, 22 Rory Clegg, 23 Sean Lamont.
Watch Connacht v Glasgow live on Sky Sports 1 HD on Saturday from 5pm. Catch the match for £6.99 on NOW TV. No contract.