Connacht have the chance to close the ground on Glasgow Warriors in Conference A as the two sides go head to head in Round 16 of the Guinness PRO14 on Friday night. Warriors welcome the Irish province to Scotstoun after both picked up important victories last weekend in their quest to secure their place in the Guinness PRO14 Final Series. What’s at stake? Glasgow held off a dramatic late rally from Cardiff Blues last time out as they claimed a 38-34 bonus-point victory at Arms Park to keep the pressure up on Munster in Conference A. Dave Rennie’s men are just two points behind Munster at the top of the conference, but they hold a comfortable nine-point lead over fellow Irish province Connacht. Connacht can cut the deficit with a victory in Glasgow, though, having come from behind to defeat Toyota Cheetahs 25-17 in Round 15 thanks to an inspired Jack Carty. Having dropped points to Cardiff Blues and Munster in their previous two Guinness PRO14 games, it was a welcome victory and they will be hoping to back it up against Warriors. Team news (Glasgow Warriors) George Horne returns from injury to start for Warriors against Connacht, having been sidelines since his side’s Champions Cup clash against Saracens earlier this season. He will partner Brandon Thomson at half-back, with the 23-year-old fly-half fresh from signing a new two-year contract with the club, while Paddy Kelly comes into the midfield. It will be Kelly’s first Warriors start and he joins a familiar face in the centre in Stafford McDowall, who he played alongside regularly for Ayr in the Tennent’s Premiership. Elsewhere, Niko Matawalu has successfully passed his return to play protocols and will start in the back three with Ruairdh Jackson and Kyle Steyn. Team news (Connacht) Scrum half Kieran Marmion has returned from injury to take his place in the Connacht side to play Warriors, after coming off the bench in Connacht’s victory over the Cheetahs last week. Marmion forms a half-back partnership with 21-year-old Academy player Conor Fitzgerald who comes in for Jack Carty. Fitzgerald’s brother Stephen is set for his second consecutive start on the wing and is part of a back three that includes Matt Healy on the opposite wing and Tiernan O’Halloran at full back. Kyle Godwin and Tom Daly form the midfield partnership, with Bundee Aki and Tom Farrell away on international duty, while Dave Heffernan comes into the front row at hooker. 💬 | "No matter what team they’ll put out they’ll be strong, but we’ll be confident with the team we’ll put out as well". 🎥 Some quick thoughts from @FinlayBealham and @paul01boyle ahead of the trip to Glasgow #StrongerInGreen pic.twitter.com/SdRRDQAESb — Connacht Rugby (@connachtrugby) February 21, 2019 Talking points Glasgow Warriors head coach Dave Rennie said: “Connacht are going to bring over a pretty well-oiled team with a lot of experience. “They’ve been going really well and because of how tight the comp is this is a big game for both sides. “They play a pretty good brand of footy and we know they’re going to ask a lot of questions of us, so we’re going to have to be a lot better this week than we were against Cardiff.” Connacht head coach Andy Friend said: “It is extremely tight in our conference with only a few points separating four or five teams, so every game takes on an even greater importance now. “We have picked a side with a good blend of youth and experience and I have full confidence in them to get a result on Friday night. “The real positive this week is to see Kieran Marmion back and raring to go after a period of injury. He has worked really hard over the past few months to regain his fitness and he is looking forward to his 150th appearance in a Connacht jersey. “It’s a significant milestone and something to be proud of for him and his family.” Key battle – George Horne v Kieran Marmion With his brother away with Scotland for the resumption of the Guinness Six Nations, George Horne will be looking to play a key role in commanding the Warriors attack in his absence. The 23-year-old has been out of action for a month and will need to hit the ground running against his opposite number, with Marmion’s return a huge boost for Connacht. Both players will be key to how their side plays and with Marmion also on the comeback trail – it will be his first start since November – it is sure to be a fascinating tussle at scrum-half. ⚔️🛡️ Here is your Glasgow Warriors team to play @connachtrugby in the Guinness PRO14 at Scotstoun Stadium tomorrow night, brought to you by @MackenzieConstr. 🎟️ Tickets still available here 👉 https://t.co/ZVEke8eoYZ pic.twitter.com/kZG2pZs6SG — Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) February 21, 2019 Key fact: Glasgow Warriors’ only home defeat in the Guinness PRO14 this season was to Edinburgh in the 1872 Cup match at the end of December. Did you know? Warriors have not been defeated by an Irish province at Scotstoun in the Guinness PRO14 since Munster were the visitors in December 2016. Glasgow Warriors: Ruaridh Jackson, Kyle Steyn, Paddy Kelly, Stafford McDowall, Niko Matawalu, Brandon Thomson, George Horne, Oli Kebble, Grant Stewart, Siua Halanukonuka, Tim Swinson, Scott Cummings, Rob Harley, Chris Fusaro ©, Adam Ashe Replacements: Kevin Bryce, Jamie Bhatti, Adam Nicol, Matt Fagerson, Thomas Gordon, Nick Frisby, Rory Hughes, Robbie Nairn Connacht: Tiernan O’Halloran, Stephen Fitzgerald, Kyle Godwin, Tom Daly, Matt Healy, Conor Fitzgerald, Kieran Marmion, Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Cillian Gallagher, James Cannon, Eoin McKeon, Colby Fainga’a, Jarrad Butler © Replacements: Shane Delahunt, Peter McCabe, Conor Carey, Joe Maksymiw, Paul Boyle, Caolin Blade, Peter Robb, Cian Kelleher TV: At Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow, 7.35pm. Live on Premier Sports 2 Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU) Assistant referees: Lloyd Linton (SRU), Elgan Williams (WRU) TMO: Charles Samson (SRU)
