Connacht boss Eric Elwood has challenged his players to record their first back-to-back RaboDirect PRO12 wins since April when they travel to face the Cardiff Blues side at the weekend. Connacht beat the Ospreys 22-10 in Galway in round 15 but Elwood believes the performance will count for very little if they’re unable to back up that success in Cardiff. Elwood’s men have only won away once in the RaboDirect PRO12 this season at Zebre in round two but with Cardiff ravaged by injuries and international call-ups – the Irish club are targeting a win this weekend. Connacht have won just two of their 19 previous matches with the Blues: both in Galway in September 2005 (13-9) and in September 2009 (18-16), with their only win at the Arms Park being a 6-3 success over Cardiff RFC in 2001. Elwood does have some selection headaches due to injury and will be without Robbie Henshaw, who is in the Irish camp; while Tiernan O’Halloran (knee), Kyle Tonetti (shoulder), Gavin Duffy, who took a knock at training, Dave McSharry (groin), Andrew Browne (Achilles), and Johnny O’Connor (knee) are all struggling. But despite the various obvious statistics and missing personnel counting against them – Elwood remains confident of success if standards are maintained. “We need the same level of intensity and the same discipline as we showed against Ospreys last weekend. If we can back it up and reproduce that form in Wales, I am confident,” he says. “We showed last week what we are capable of. Our defence was excellent, our attack was good, and we need to play with that same intensity, while also keeping our discipline, to have a chance.” The Blues have won just one of their last six games at the Arms Park in the PRO12: that was a 12-10 win over the Dragons on Boxing Day. While Sam Warburton returns to the Wales 23 for this weekend’s Six Nations showdown at Rome’s Olympic Stadium, there will be no involvement for Bradley Davies. And it’s now become clear just how serious the ankle ligament damage he sustained during training back in January was. The 38-cap second row is facing a race against time to play any further part in the season, as he recovers from surgery. But director of rugby Phil Davies says it’s important his name-sake doesn’t come back too soon. “He’s had a few niggles with that ankle over time, so I just think it’s a case of making sure he’s right and ready to go,” he said. “If he can get a couple of games in before the end of the season, then great. “If not, he can go away and have a massive pre-season and just rest up. “He’s become a dad for the first time recently and, as all of us who have got kids know, that’s a challenge. “Hopefully he will be fine, but we are not going to rush him. We want to make sure he is right and ready to go.” At Cardiff Arms Park , 7.30pm. Referee: Dudley Phillips (IRFU, 32nd competition game) Assistant Referees: Sean Brickell, Jason Langdon (both WRU) Citing Commissioner: Gwyn Bowden (WRU)
