Last season’s champions Connacht host Newport-Gwent Dragons at the Sportsground on Saturday February 18 at 7.35pm.

Just six points separate the sides in eighth and tenth respectively and this Round 15 clash could see either side climb one place in the Guinness PRO12.

What’s at stake?

Connacht could move up to seventh with a victory if Cardiff Blues fall to Benetton Treviso. The Dragons could also move up one league position with a win and put some daylight between themselves at the two Italian clubs at the foot of the table.

Connacht Team News: Head coach Pat Lam had made five personnel changes from the side that beat Cardiff Blues last time out. He welcomes three Irish internationals to his starting XV with Kieran Marmion, Finlay Bealham and Ultan Dillane back in the side. Centre Tom Farrell earns his full debut after two impressive displays from the bench.

Newport Gwent Dragons Team News: Kingsley Jones has made three changes to the side that lost at Munster last week. Full-back Tom Prydie returns to join Adam Hughes and Pat Howard in the back three. In the pack, 22-year-old Elliot Dee returns at hooker and Nick Crosswell joins Rynard Landman in the second-row.

Talking points: The Irish province have won 17 out of the 27 matches between the two sides. They have been victorious in five of the last six league meetings but, crucially for Dragons, the most recent meeting in round eight resulted in a 21-16 win for the Welsh province.

Key battle: Keiran Marmion v Tavis Knoyle

Marmion returns from international duty with Ireland and slots straight into the starting side. After impressive form in the Guinness PRO12, Marmion warranted his international call-up but returns to win his 116th appearance for Connacht after earning his first appearances in the Six Nations from the bench.

Knoyle starts in an unchanged half-back pairing with Dorian Jones and their game management will be key if the Welsh province are to earn a rare away victory in the Guinness PRO12. The battle between the two scrum-halves will dictate the pace and flow of tomorrow night’s encounter in Galway.

Key stat: Dragons beat Connacht in Round 8 in Newport and have only once before achieved a Guinness PRO12 season’s double over the Irishmen -in the 2003/04 season, the only previous time Dragons have won in Galway.

Did you know? Dragons have not won away from home in the PRO12 since a visit to Treviso in March 2015.

Connacht:

Top points scorer: Jack Carty 66pts Top try scorer: Niki Adeolokun 4

Newport Gwent Dragons:

Top points scorer: Angus O’Brien 77pts Top try scorer: Pat Howard 4

TV: Live on TG4 / S4C (KO 7.35pm)

Match Officials – Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU) Assistant 1: Adam Jones (WRU) Assistant 2: Shane Kierans (IRFU) TMO: Charles Samson (SRU)

Overall Guinness PRO12 head to head record:
Played 27, Connacht won 17, Dragons won 10.

At Sportsground, 7.35pm. Live on TG4 and S4C
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU, 146th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Adam Jones (WRU), Shane Kierans (IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Eugene Ryan (IRFU)
TMO: Charles Samson (SRU)