Celtic League Glasgow v Connacht, 7.35 Hughenden: It comes as no surprise to coach Michael Bradley that Eric Elwood has failed to make the starting team to face Glasgow tonight.
As a result David Hewitt, who moved into the outhalf position when Elwood came off injured last week against The Borders, comes straight in as Connacht make a number of changes to the side that narrowly won that match.
Mark McHugh, who calmly kicked two late penalties to secure the win, starts at full back while Mike Walls makes his seasonal debut at scrumhalf. Bradley was aware there would be some scrambling in the front row and with Dan McFarland and Warren O'Kelly both injured, Ray Hogan and Fabian Boiroux come in as the starting props.
What Elwood brings to Connacht, few teams have available to them and it is not just his kicking. Decision making, a well-honed temperament and gut instinct which is invariably correct, colour the contributions of the former international, whose calculating role in the midfield will be sorely missed.
Glasgow make just two changes in personnel from the side that defeated Celtic Warriors 19-9 at Bridgend last Friday, Graeme Morrison, who played for the Scottish under-21s in last summer's World Cup, comes into outside centre while Donnie MacFadyen reverts to his familiar position at open side flanker. Both missed last week's game because of flu, so theoretically Glasgow are stronger this week than last even though they are without their two injured internationals, Rory Kerr and Matthew Proudfoot.
This game also represents another away match in Connacht's crazy four-from-home beginning to the season and they are undoubtedly facing a side with their tails up.
Given the travel fatigue that maybe setting in and the number of forced changes Bradley has had to make, even Connacht's natural pluck and fight, which has been amply demonstrated in all of their games so far, might not be enough to break down the Scots this time.
GLASGOW: S Moffat; G McClure, G Morrison, A Bulloch, S Lamont; C Howarth, M McMillan; A Kelly, S Gunn, L Harrison, A Hall, J Beardshaw, C Mather (capt), R Reid, D MacFadyn. Replacements: S Lawson, E Murray, N Ross, P Dearlove, K Sinclair, D Parks, J Steel.
CONNACHT: M McHugh; C McPhillips, D Yapp, T Allnutt (capt), W Munn; AN Other, M Walls; R Hogan, B Jackman, F Boiroux; D Browne, A Farley; M Swift, P Neville, J O'Sullivan. Replacements: J Fogarty, AN Other, M McCarthy, T Carter, C Keane, S Moore, M Mostyn.
Referee: N Owens (Wales)
