After two weeks of European fixtures, Connacht and Ulster are back in action in the Guinness PRO14 on Saturday night. Ulster return from a successful trip to London and head to Galway Sportsground to face a Connacht side who will also be riding high after back-to-back Challenge Cup wins. What’s at stake? Connacht’s clash with Ulster is the first in a series of Christmas inter-pros, as they face both Leinster and Munster at the beginning of January. Connacht are currently battling with Cardiff Blues for fourth place in Conference Av while Ulster are breathing down the necks of Conference B’s first and second-placed sides Scarlets and Leinster. Team news (Connacht): Matt Healy, who scored four tries against Brive last weekend, is back in the side and is joined by Tiernan O’Halloran In the pack, Denis Coulson comes in at loosehead in place of the injured Denis Buckley and flanker Jarrad Butler returns from an injury sustained against Munster in October. Team news (Ulster): Darren Cave is set to become the sixth Ulster player ever to earn 200 caps on Saturday evening, ten years after his first appearance in April 2007. Andrew Trimble returns to the starting XV on the left wing, with Craig Gilroy retained on the right and Jacob Stockdale shifting to full-back. Talking points: Connacht Rugby have lost their last two Guinness PRO14 matches, both away from home, at Cardiff Blues and at Zebre, and they cannot afford another as they compete with the Blues for the final Conference A Champions Cup place. Should they fall to Ulster, and Cardiff win in their game, hopes of qualifying for Europe’s premier competition next season will be severely damaged. Key battle: Matt Healy v Craig Gilroy Returning to the side having scored four tries last week, winger Healy is in electric form and Ulster will need to be very wary not to let him slip through. Fortunately for them, the experienced Craig Gilroy is well-equipped to attempt to deal with that threat. Key stat: In 29 meetings between these two provinces, Ulster have won 24 times and Connacht just four. They have drawn once. Did you know? Connacht have won their last four matches at the Sportsground in all competitions since Cardiff Blues beat them there in the Guinness PRO14 in Round Four September. Connacht: T O’Halloran, N Adeleokun, B Aki, T Farrell, M Healy, J Carty, K Marmion, D Coulson, S Delahunt, F Bealham, U Dillane, Q Roux, E Masterson, J Butler, J Muldoon (capt). Replacements: T McCartney, P McCabe, C Carey, J Cannon, N Dawai, J Mitchell, E Griffin, D Leader. Ulster: J Stockdale, C Gilroy, L Ludik, D Cave, A Trimble, P Nelson, J Cooney; A Warwick, J Andrew, W Herbst, M Dalton, R Diack, I Henderson (capt), S Reidy, N Timoney. Replacements: A McBurney, S van der Merwe, R Kane, M Rea, C Ross, P Marshall, J McPhillips, R Lyttle. Match officials – Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU) AR1: Joy Neville (IRFU) AR2: Kieran Barry (IRFU) TMO: Leo Colgan (IRFU) TV: TV4, coverage starts at 7.15pm. BBC Northern Ireland, coverage stats at 7.30pm Guinness PRO14 Final 2018 Ticket Information: Fans can save up to 20% on selected tickets, and prices start at just €30 for adults and €5 for children, and can be booked via www.ticketmaster.ie
