Scarlets backs coach Mark Jones has urged his side not to underestimate Connacht as the RaboDirect PRO12 leaders travel to the Sportsground.

While the West Walians, under new head coach Simon Easterby, have begun the season in style with wins over two of last year’s top four in Leinster and Glasgow Warriors, they have not won in Galway since 2009.

And Jones admits that he doesn’t want his team to find themselves in a scrap against Eric Elwood’s side.

He said: “We haven't had a great record at the Sportsground and have tripped up on our last two visits with narrow losses, so we don't put ourselves in a position where we are fighting a tight margin at the end of the game.

“We will need to be ruthless and get ahead and then protect that lead. There is certainly no complacency in this side and absolutely no expectation on winning. What we expect is for the boys to perform to the level they have this season, improve on the margins and then we are in with a chance.

“Our only expectation is on the performance – that should then take care of the result.”

Easterby has made eight changes from the team which won at Scotstoun with Jordan Williams, Nick Reynolds and Gareth Davies coming into the backline.

Up front there are five new faces in Phil John, Samson Lee, Sione Timani, Josh Turnbull and Kieran Murphy.

Elwood also rings the changes with six players coming in after their first win of the season 30-17 away to Zebre.

Injuries have forced a completely new back row with Andrew Browne, Willie Falloon and Eoin McKeon coming in, while Dave McSharry comes in at centre.

There are also two changes in the front row with Brett Wilkinson and Nathan White starting at loosehead and tighthead respectively.

Elwood admits it will be a tough task taking on a Scarlets side brimming with confidence but insists his side come into the game in good form.

He said: “It took a massive effort last weekend – the travel, the heat, and playing against an Italian side with some 400 caps in their first home match.

“The lads showed huge character, particularly when we were forced into making so many changes in the second half. Now they will have to step it up again against the Scarlets who are riding high after their first two games.

“Every game for us is tough, but the lads are fronting up week-in week-out. If you take into consideration the travel, the heat last weekend, the hard ground which was a huge transition from the conditions they had played in the previous week, the injuries in the second half, I believe the lads adapted brilliantly.”

At Sportsground, 3pm.
Referee: Neil Paterson (SRU, 43rd competition game)
Assistant Referees: John Lacey, John Carvill (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Gordon Black (IRFU)
TMO: Dermot Moloney (IRFU)

Live on TG4