Pat Lam has rung the changes as GUINNESS PRO12 leaders Connacht head to Cardiff to take on the Blues, but skipper John Muldoon remains and will enter unchartered territory on Friday night.

The Connacht side at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park tomorrow night features eight personnel changes and one positional switch from the team that won at Thomond Park last weekend.

Darragh Leader comes on to the right wing for his 50th Connacht appearance while Tiernan O'Halloran shifts to fullback. Jack Carty is named at outhalf and scrum-half Ian Porter earns his first PRO12 start of the season.

There is a new front row with the introduction of Ronan Loughney, Dave Heffernan and Rodney Ah You while Quinn Roux returns from injury to partner Aly Muldowney in the second row.

Captain Muldoon becomes the first player to break the 200-cap barrier in the PRO12 when he leads the side out in the Welsh capital tomorrow night.

The Galway man, who turned 33 on Monday, is named in the back row with Academy flanker James Connolly and the returning Number 8 Eoin McKeon.

“We have another big game on the road again this week. Cardiff has been a difficult fixture for us the past few seasons and they are very tough to beat at home. They have some quality, experienced players in their squad and they will view this game as a chance to get back to winning ways,” said Lam.

“We know we will have to be at our best and fully focused as a team to get the four points on offer in another vital PRO12 game, before attention switches to Europe.

“With the short turn around and following a very physical game against Munster, we obviously see some changes in the side this week. While we lost four more guys to injury in the last game, we also have players coming back into contention. And with competition as high as ever, it makes our job for selection that bit more difficult but that's what we want as coaches.

“I'd also like to give a special mention to our skipper and warrior Mul (John Muldoon) who consistently epitomises what we're about and leads his province into battle for the record-breaking 200th time in the PRO12.”

Connacht beat the Blues in round three and are going for their first-ever league double over the Welsh side – and hope to extend their club record to seven consecutive PRO12 wins in the process.

The Blues meanwhile have lost their last seven in the league but head coach Danny Wilson does welcome back Alex Cuthbert on Friday evening.

Fit-again Wales international Cuthbert makes his comeback as one of five changes to the side that narrowly lost out to Ospreys in the derby.

The other change to the back line is a call-up for Rhys Patchell who plays in the full back jersey.
Hooker Ethan Lewis is handed a starting spot up front while Jarrod Hoeata returns in the second row to partner Lou Reed.

The final change to the team comes in the back row as Macauley Cook comes in at blindside with Josh Turnbull moving to openside flanker.

And head coach Wilson said: “We're all looking forward to facing the league leaders and top try points scorers in the GUINNESS PRO12 on home soil.

“Connacht have built a squad over a period of years that has really gelled together and they are really starting to see the fruits of that labour.

“They have had consistency and stability and there is real togetherness under Pat Lam. They have recruited well and also developed from within.

“We know what a task it is to play a top of the table side, but it is a home game and we come in of the back of a good performance in the derby.

“Elements of our performance are starting to build and hopefully we can get the results we all want. If we can get a win it would really bounce our season and kick us on.

“We massively respect what Connacht have done, but this Friday we want to put them under pressure and get a result that can be a springboard for the season.”

At BT Sports Cardiff Arms Park, 7.05pm. Live on BBC Wales and TGT4
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU, 6th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Neil Hennessy, Simon Rees (both WRU)
Citing Commissioner: Gwyn Bowden (WRU)
TMO: Jonathan Mason (WRU)