Preview: Cardiff Blues vs Connacht

December 04, 2015
2596
Ultimate Rugby

Cardiff Blues vs Connacht, 19:05, TG4, BBC Wales

Connacht travel to Cardiff tonight in high spirits off the back of a famous win over Munster last weekend.

Pat Lam's men sit in top spot and ahead of the clash with Cardiff he has made 8 changes.

Connacht will be without Robbie Henshaw, who has been ruled out for the next 6 weeks due to injury.

Darragh Leader comes on to the right wing for his 50th Connacht appearance while Tiernan O'Halloran shifts to fullback. Jack Carty is named at outhalf and scrum-half Ian Porter earns his first PRO12 start of the season.

There is a new front row with the introduction of Ronan Loughney, Dave Heffernan and Rodney Ah You while Quinn Roux returns from injury to partner Aly Muldowney in the second row.

Connacht beat the Blues in round three and are going for their first-ever league double over the Welsh side - and hope to extend their club record to seven consecutive PRO12 wins in the process.

Cardiff however have lost their last 7 games in the Pro 12.

Ospreys edged out Cardiff last week in the Welsh derby, the Blues played well but continued their bad run.

Fit-again Wales international Cuthbert will make his comeback, as one of five changes to last weeks team.

The other change to the back line is a call-up for Rhys Patchell who plays in the full back jersey. Hooker Ethan Lewis is handed a starting spot up front while Jarrod Hoeata returns in the second row to partner Lou Reed.

The final change to the team comes in the back row as Macauley Cook comes in at blindside with Josh Turnbull moving to openside flanker.

Prediction: Connacht by 5. They are flying at the moment, will be tight but the men in green will edge it.