Head coach Alan Solomons admits his Edinburgh side may be a bit rusty against Connacht despite keeping faith with the same starting XV that was due to take on Newport Gwent Dragons in the RaboDirect PRO12 last weekend.

The Scottish outfit’s game against the Dragons last Sunday was postponed – delaying the debut of Andries Strauss and first starts for Mike Coman, Carl Bezuidenhout and James Hilterbrand.

But they will all get their chance this time round, with the only changes to the squad named last week appearing on the bench, where Ross Ford and Geoff Cross return from international duty to replace Geoge Turner and Ewan McQuillin.

Edinburgh have won just once on the road this season: 16-10 at Gloucester in the European Cup in December, while their only victory in Ireland since September 2009 was at Connacht in December 2012.

But Solomons is confident of repeating that success of over a year ago, even if his side are lacking match fitness.

“Missing the game against the Dragons in Newport was big because we have now not played for a month, which will have an impact. We will naturally be a bit rusty,” said Solomons.

“The positive side is that we have had more time to practice because there are quite substantial changes to the team.

“However, all things being considered, the players have prepared well and are ready for this game.”

Connacht have won just one of their last 12 RaboDirect PRO12 matches – 14-11 at home to the Dragons on December 21 – and have lost their last four contests with Scottish opponents since beating Edinburgh at Murrayfield last April.

Connacht head coach Pat Lam has made three personnel changes to the team that lined out against Glasgow Warriors last weekend.

Dave McSharry returns to partner Eoin Griffin in the centre – meaning Craig Ronaldson forms the half-back pairing with Kieran Marmion.

Tiernan O'Halloran has been named to start on the left wing while up front, Connacht's highest capped player Michael Swift is brought into the second row.

“It's a great boost to have Dave (McSharry) back from injury,” said Lam. “He came through the Eagles game last week and his experience will be valuable against Edinburgh this weekend.

"Tiernan (O'Halloran) is a player who has worked hard to earn his place in the team. He went away to work on certain aspects of his game over the last few weeks and it was clear from his performance with the Eagles that he deserves this start.”

At The Sportsground, 5pm.
Referee: Claudio Blessano (FIR, 5th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Olly Hodges, Mark Connolly (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Wayne Sheridan (IRFU)