Connacht - Match Preveiw
By Zippy
May 14 2004
The Celtic Warriors take on Connacht at the Galway sports ground on Friday night. The Warriors will look to cement fourth spot in the Celtic League and a win on Neil Jenkins last professional rugby game. For Match Preview read on
Warrior News
Lot of changes in the team, Alfie moves to the wing and JB comes in at 12, Idris comes back in on the wing in prob his last game for the Warriors as well. Sio plays 9 in place of Cooper who has had his shoulder op. No Cory Harris so young Ryan Jones gets a chance to show his metal.
Warriors Team
E Lewis, G Thomas, S Parker, J Bryant, A Havili, C Sweeney, S Martens, G Jenkins, M Rees, C Horsman, B Cockbain, D Jones, R Jones, R Parks, R Bryan.
Replacements: M Davies, C Loader, N Budgett, M Molitika, P John, N Jenkins, M Nutthall
Connacht News
Connacht have made a number of changes from the side which played against Munster on Friday night with Mark McHugh, who goes into hospital on Friday for an operation, ruled out.
Tim Allnutt comes back into the side and will captain the team on Friday night when Conor McPhillips will bid to end the season as the top try scorer in the Celtic League, at present he is one ahead of Cardiff's Jamie Robinson on eleven tries.
Up front Christian Short makes his first start of the season for Connacht.
Connact Team
M. Mostyn; T. Robinson, D. Yapp, T. Allnutt, C. McPhillips; E. Elwood, C. OšLoughlin; D. McFarland, B. Jackman, P. Bracken; C. Short, A. Farley; P. Neville, M. Lacey, M. Carroll. (Replacements to be announced
later).
Zippy's look at Connacht
Star Players
Matt Mostyn - Ex Newport wing now at full back, knows the way to the line.
Eric Elwood - Legendary Irish 10 in the swangsong of his career.
Andrew Farley - Ex Swansea lock playing some good rugby in Galway this year.
The Team
- Good form, good run in Europe again.
- Look to finish 2nd highest Irish province but will be denied a HC spot by the Irish which is cruelly unfair on these players.
Zippy Prediction
The Warriors will want this win badly to finish the season on a high and send Jinks and Alfie off in the right way. Warriors by 5-10