PERFECT CHANCE FOR CONNACHT TO GET GOING

says a lot about how teams approach the European Challenge Cup that Connacht are resting their best player and Oyonnax have made a dozen changes for this evening’s clash in Geneva (kick-off 7.0pm).

Oyonnax, like Connacht, have managed just one win in the league this season and have decided to rest 12 of the starting side which was pipped 19-16 in their own backyard by Pau last weekend for a game that has been switched to Geneva to allow work on their own ground.

Kieran Keane, despite resting key man Bundee Aki and keeping Kieran Marmion on the bench, has still selected a strong enough squad which should bring all five points home before preparing to play Brive next weekend.

The pool is completed by the bottom side in the Premiership, Worcester Warriors.

A quarter-final spot should be well within Connacht’s grasp and Keane reckons it’s an ideal opportunity for his men to kick-start their campaign.

Keane, who has made seven changes to the side which again came away pointless from Belfast, is looking forward to the change of scenery.

“It’s a new thing for me, to be going into this competition. It’s new for quite a few of the boys. I don’t think it’s going to be an open, friendly game. Both teams want to gain some momentum.”

There are four changes in the backline where full-back Darragh Leader returns to take the place of Tiernan O’Halloran, Eoin Griffin slots in for Aki with Andrew Deegan and Caolin Blade getting the nod at half-back.

Up front, loosehead Denis Coulson makes his first European start for the province and James Cannon comes into the second-row, with Eoghan Masterson starting at openside.

Verdict: Connacht