Connacht look to wrap it up

CONNACHT’S frontline stars are back in the fold as they seek a fifth Challenge Cup win of the season, which will give Kieran’s Keane side a spot in the last eight. The westerners face a slightly understrength Worcester Warriors at Sixways this afternoon, but Keane has named a powerful side in a bid to wrap up the pool win before next week’s final game at home to Oyonnax. Bundee Aki, Ultan Dillane and Kieran Marmion are recalled to the starting side for this tussle, while new Worcester head coach Alan Solomons, has maintained much of the squad that player in last week’s defeat to Bath at Sixways. Despite trailing Connacht by seven points in their pool he has not conceded defeat and nine of that team start today. Despite defeats to Leinster and Munster in the Pro14, a record win over Ulster in the lead up to Christmas means Connacht carry plenty of confidence into Europe. Nevertheless, Connacht coach Jimmy Duffy is wary of their hosts, who have already beaten Brive and Oyonnax at home, and expects a significant test. ‘It is a good Worcester team, they have hit a run of form, and now Alan Solomons is there on a full-time basis, he has given them a good bit of steel. They are well coached, have big personalities with a lot of experience, so we know it’s a big challenge,’ said Duffy. Connacht may have taken as much satisfaction from the 21-18 defeat at the RDS as they did from their 44-26 win over Ulster. Regarded as the best team in Europe at the minute, Leinster were challenged all the way and Duffy said the squad were buoyed by their displays. ‘There was massive excitement around the group for the inter-pros. As a coach you have to keep a lid on it and then open the doors and let the players away because they don’t need to be motivated during that period of time. It is the same now with Europe.’