Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend has challenged his side to end their six-year duck away to Connacht on Friday and stake their claim to become the first Scottish team in RaboDirect PRO12 history to claim a home semi-final. The Warriors have not won at the Sportsground since 2007 and they last won on the road against Newport Gwent Dragons in February but victory, depending on other results, could see them occupy one of the top two places in the RaboDirect PRO12 table. Already assured of a place in the play-offs, Townsend has made nine changes to the side that defeated the Ospreys last time out with only Sean Lamont, Pat MacArthur, Moray Low, Tim Swinson, Rob Harley and John Barclay remaining in the starting XV. British & Irish Lions pair Stuart Hogg and Sean Maitland drop to the bench, along with Glasgow’s player of the season Niko Matawalu, Ryan Grant and Josh Strauss. Peter Murchie comes in at full-back in place of Hogg, Tommy Seymour replaces Maitland on the right wing and the club’s equal all-time top try scorer DTH van der Merwe comes in on the opposite side, with Sean Lamont moving to outside centre in place of Alex Dunbar. And Townsend has challenged those in the starting XV to put their hands up for a place in the semi-final side. “We were delighted with our performance against the Ospreys which secured our play-off spot, but we know we’ll face a big challenge tomorrow night at a ground we’ve not won at since 2007,” said Townsend. “Connacht are enjoying a great run of form at the moment, having lost just twice in their last seven games, so it will be an extremely tough game for us, but one we’re all looking forward to. “With a couple of players out injured, it is an opportunity for others to stake a claim to be selected for our semi-final. “It’s a new halfback and midfield combination and we expect a high workrate and accuracy from them. “I am also looking forward to seeing Tommy Seymour and Peter Murchie back in a Warriors jersey. They both performed well the last time we played in Ireland in our narrow defeat to Leinster, and have trained very well the past two weeks. “It’s an exciting time for the club with the selection of two British Lions and our play-off place secured, but our focus is all about meeting the challenge of Connacht and delivering a top performance.” Connacht currently occupy eighth place in the RaboDirect PRO12 table, and are aiming to equal their best ever finish which they achieved last year. Friday’s match will be a last for flanker Johnny O'Connor, who will retire from rugby after the match – his 146th for the province. O'Connor represents the only personnel change to the forwards from the team which drew to Treviso last weekend. He is joined in the back row by Andrew Browne and Eoin McKeon, who moves to No.8. On his return from injury, 22-year-old Eoin Griffin is named at outside centre with Danie Poolman moving on to the right wing. On the bench, Adrian Flavin is named at replacement hooker and is in line to make his 142nd and final appearance for Connacht – his team for the last seven years. "I did the best I could with the cards I was dealt,” said O’Connor. “Athletically, I have lost a bit because of injury but I know guys who have quit through injury. “I had plenty of career-threatening injuries where I could have got a pay-out and not played this game. I got the best out of myself in the circumstances I had. I can truly say that.” At Sportsground, 7.45pm. Referee: George Clancy (IRFU, 55th competition game) Assistant Referees: Paul Haycock, John Carvill (both IRFU) Citing Commissioner: John Cole (IRFU) TMO: Seamus Flannery (IRFU) Live on RTE and BBC ALBA
