PRO12 BOOTROOM
TEAM NEWS: Connacht change just one from their New Year’s Day defeat at Leinster, new Ireland training call-up Ultan Dillane coming in at second row for Aly Muldowney. Scarlets switch two after brutal late surrender at Cardiff, openside Emyr Phillips and centre Gareth Owen stepping in.
LAST THREE MEETINGS Feb 2015 – Scarlets 32 Connacht 14. Nov 2014 – Connacht 18 Scarlets 8. Mar 2014 – Scarlets 32 Connacht 30.
VERDICT: Scarlets. WHY: Scarlets have lost their last four in all competitions and Connacht have won just one in five, so something has got to give and the hunch is that while there is an improved performance is due from the visitors, who must fear frittering away all the good work of their unprecedented earlyseason eight-match winning streak, their pack could wear out referee Andrew Brace’s patience and pay the decisive price.
KEY STAT: Connacht have slipped to three straight league and cup defeats on the road since their historic win at Munster on November 28.
SCARLETS: M Collins; S Evans, R King, H Parkes, DTH van der Merwe; A Thomas, G Davies, R Evans, K Owens (capt), S Lee, T Price, L Rawlins, A Shingler, J Barclay, M Allen. Reps: R Elias, P John, R Jones, M Paulino, R Pitman, R Williams, S Shingler, S Hughes.
CONNACHT: T O’Halloran; N Adeolokun, B Aki, C Ronaldson, M Healy; J Carty, K Marmion; F Bealham, T McCartney, N White, U Dillane, A Browne, J Muldoon (capt), J Heenan, E Masterson. Reps: D Heffernan, R Loughney, R Ah You, A Muldowney, S O’Brien, I Porter, AJ McGinty, R Parata.
REFEREE: A Brace (IRFU). TV: LIVE S4C, TG4 (KO 2.30pm).