Celtic League: Ospreys v Connacht Liberty Stadium Today, 5.30pm On TV: Setanta IrelandConnacht coach Michael Bradley has made four changes and two positional switches from the side that lost to Edinburgh for their game against the Ospreys in Wales today.
David Slemen comes in at fullback with Daniel Riordan switching to the wing and Darren Yapp coming in on the other flank. John Hearty is named at outside centre with Gavin Williams dropping to the bench.
Ryan Strudwick replaces the injured Andrew Farley in the secondrow, while Jonny Muldoon has recovered from a cheek injury sustained in the Munster game and returns at the expense of Matt Lacey. Farley (shoulder), Ronan Loughney (knee), Keith Matthews (knee), Conor McPhillips (groin), Matt Mostyn (knee), Brendan O'Connor (arm), Ted Robinson (hamstring) and Tom Tierney (ankle) are all out.
Ospreys are without their Welsh players James Hook, Ryan Jones, Alun Wyn Jones and Duncan Jones, while Gavin Henson is also missing with a knee injury that could keep him sidelined for another week.
Coach Lynn Jones admitted: "When we lost in Galway by five points last September we were playing badly but our form has since improved significantly . . . we are delighted to be buoyed by having some boys back from Wales duty. This is a refreshing change of approach from previous Wales managements.
"Connacht's recent performance against Edinburgh was one of the worst I have seen them play and I am sure they will be looking to set things right."
A bonus point may be the limit of Connacht's ambition and would represent a significant achievement.
OSPREYS: L Byrne; N Walker, T Selley, A Bishop, S Williams; S Connor, J Marshall; P James (capt), H Bennett, A Millward; B Cockbain, M Powell; L Beach, R Pugh, J Thomas. Replacements: B Williams, A Jones, C Martenko, T Smith, J Spice, J Vaughton, S Terblanche.
CONNACHT: D Slemen; D Yapp, J Hearty, M McHugh, D Riordan; P Warwick, C O'Loughlin; B Wilkinson, J Fogarty (capt), S Knoop; D Gannon, R Strudwick; J Muldoon, R Ofisa, C Rigney. Replacements: A Flavin, B Sturgess, M Swift, M Lacey, C Keane, G Williams, P Durcan.
Referee: A MacPherson(Scotland).
Leading points scorers: Ospreys- James Hook 63; Connacht- Mark McHugh 93.
Leading try scorers: Ospreys- Nikki Walker 4; Connacht- Matt Mostyn 4.
Verdict: Ospreys to win.
