Preview: Glasgow v Connacht

Connacht Head Coach Eric Elwood has made one change to his matchday squad that will take on Glasgow Warriors at Firhill on Friday.

Connacht Head Coach Eric Elwood has made a solitary change to his matchday squad that will take on Glasgow Warriors at Firhill on Friday.

The Western Irish recall a recovered Andrew Browne to the 22 that lost to Scarlets last week and he replaces Dave Nolan on the bench.

Ray Ofisa, Niva Ta'auso and Bernie Upton all passed fitness tests and travelled with the squad to Glasgow on Thursday. Frank Murphy continues to lead in the absence of flank John Muldoon.

For Glasgow, flanker Robert Harley, who has impressed off the bench in recent weeks, will get his first start of the season on Friday evening.

On the young prospect, head coach Sean Lineen said: “Robert is being rewarded for all his hard work. He's got a fantastic attitude and has made a big impact every time he's come on.”

Although the Warriors haven't lost at home to an Irish side since Ulster on 17 April 2009, they will face a Connacht side that are coming into the encounter off the back of two straight wins.

Speaking about the opposition, Lineen continued: “Tomorrow night will be a huge physical test.

“Connacht are coming into the game with some momentum, so we know we're going to have to really front up.”

Form: Glasgow are unbeaten in their last three games against Connacht, whilst Connacht's only previous win in Glasgow was 30-19 at Hughenden on 26 September 2003. Glasgow's slip up at Newport Gwent Dragons ended a five game winning run in regular season Magners League matches. The Warriors only defeat in their last nine encounters at Firhill in all competitions was 7-30 to Cardiff Blues on 19 February. Glasgow have not lost at home to an Irish side since Ulster were the visitors on 17 April 2009. Connacht's narrow 33-35 loss at Scarlets on Saturday was notable for wing Fionn Carr who became just the second Connacht hat-trick scorer in Magners League history, following Wayne Munn against Caerphilly in 2001. The Irishmen have not won in Scotland since a visit to the now disbanded Border Reivers on 1 September 2006.

The teams:

Connacht: 15 Gavin Duffy, 14 Troy Nathan, 13 Niva Ta'auso, 12 Keith Matthews, 11 Fionn Carr, 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Frank Murphy (capt), 8 Mike McComish, 7 Ray Ofisa, 6 Michael McCarthy, 5 Bernie Upton, 4 Michael Swift, 3 Jamie Hagan, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 Brett Wilkinson.
Replacements: 16 Adrian Flavin, 17 Ronan Loughney, 18 Rob Sweeney, 19 Andrew Browne, 20 Shane Conneely, 21 Cillian Willis, 22 Miah Nikora, 23 Tiernan O'Halloran.

Glasgow: 15 Bernardo Stortoni, 14 DTH van der Merwe, 13 Max Evans, 12 Graeme Morrison, 11 Hefin O'Hare, 10 Ruaridh Jackson, 9 Colin Gregor, 8 Richie Vernon, 7 John Barclay (capt), 6 Robert Harley, 5 Richie Gray, 4 Tom Ryder, 3 Ed Kalman, 2 Fergus Thomson, 1 Jon Welsh.
Replacements: 16 Pat MacArthur, 17 Kevin Tkachuk, 18 Moray Low, 19 Aly Muldowney, 20 Calum Forrester, 21 Henry Pyrgos, 22 Duncan Weir, 23 Peter Murchie.

Date: Friday, September 17
Kick-off: 19:30 BST
Venue: Firhill
Referee: Leighton Hodges (Wales)