THE CHALLENGE CUP BOOTROOM

WORCESTER v CONNACHT TEAM NEWS:

Ireland internationals Ultan Dillane, Bundee Aki and Kieran Marmion return for Connacht. Craig Ronaldson also starts at outhalf while Eoghan Masterson comes in at blindside flanker. Perry Humphreys, Dean Hammond, Jamie Shillcock, Simon Kerrod, Darren Barry and Pierce Phillips all come in for the hosts.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS:

Oct 2017 – Connacht 15 Worcester 8 Dec 2009 – Connacht 19 Worcester 7 Dec 2009 – Worcester 21 Connacht 26

VERDICT: Connacht. WHY: Kieran Keane’s side will be confident of continuing their unbeaten run in the pool against a side that have struggled for form.

WORCESTER: J Adams, P Humphreys, C Pennell, R Mills, D Hammond, J Shillcock, F Hougaard, E Waller, J Singleton, S Kerrod, D Barry, P Phillips, D Denton, S Lewis, GJ van Velze. Reps: M Williams, R Bower, B Alo, H Taylor, M Cox, M Dowsett, S Olver, B Howard

CONNACHT: T O’Halloran, D Leader, B Aki, T Farrell, N Adeolokun, C Ronaldson, K Marmion, P McCabe, D Heffernan, C Carey, U Dillane, Q Roux, E Masterson, J Butler, J Muldoon (capt). Reps: S Delahunt, D Coulson, D RobertsonMcCoy, G Thornbury, N Dawai, C Blade, E Griffin, C Kelleher

Referee: Alexandre Ruiz (France). KEY STAT Worcester top the charts for turnovers won this season, averaging eight per game.