Connacht head coach Pat Lam is pleased to be able to call on some experienced heads for their clash with Edinburgh at the Sportsground. The Irish province, who sit second in the GUINNESS PRO12 table, are able to bring Tom McCartney, Andrew Browne, and captain John Muldoon into the pack, while Ireland prop Nathan White is among the replacements. The backline remains unchanged from the side that beat the Ospreys in Wales last weekend and Lam is hoping to keep his side’s flying start to the season going. "While we're happy with where we're at so far, we know it's only going to get tougher,” he said. “We are under no illusions of the physical battle we face on Saturday and with that in mind, it's great to be able to bring in the experience of guys like Tom (McCartney), John (Muldoon) and Andrew (Browne). "Obviously Nathan (White) returning is a big boost for us and we're pleased to have him involved this week. “After a busy few games in the World Cup, Robbie (Henshaw) is not far off and we should see him next week against Treviso. "We're really looking forward to playing at home again tomorrow and protecting our home record is number one on the agenda." Each side has lost just one GUINNESS PRO12 game so far this season, with Edinburgh’s winning start to the campaign coming to an end at the hands of Zebre last weekend. The Scotsmen have won both of their fixtures played against Irish provinces this season, beating Leinster in the opening round and Ulster earlier this month. Each side won its respective away game when the two teams met in the PRO12 last season with Edinburgh winning on two of their last three visits to the Sportsground. Edinburgh head coach Alan Solomons has made seven changes to the XV that started in Parma, with 18-year-old Blair Kinghorn starting at full-back. Damien Hoyland and Will Helu switch wings while Chris Dean returns from injury to join Sam Beard in midfield and Sam Hidalgo-Clyne starts at scrum-half. The tight five is unchanged, while captain Mike Coman is joined in the back row by Nasi Manu and the returning Roddy Grant. "We dropped off too much after Ulster,” said Solomons. “We gave away too many penalties and this week's challenge will be much tougher." “We have nine frontline players out. The cavalry will be back next week, however we have a number of players on the injured list with Stuart McInally and Ben Toolis, for example, missing longer term. "The team need to perform strongly to put right last week's performance as Zebre was a game we should have won." To buy tickets for the GUINNESS PRO12 Grand Final click here. Also follow us on Facebook, join the conversation on Twitter, sign up to our YouTube channel for extensive match highlights and sign up for our newsletter for regular updates on the GUINNESS PRO12. At Sportsground, 6.45pm. Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU, 52nd competition game) Assistant Referees: Mark Patton, Stuart Douglas (both IRFU) Citing Commissioner: Tim Lowry (IRFU)
