Scarlets v Connacht (tonight, Parc y Scarlets, 7.35pm, live on TG4)
CONNACHT are hoping to become the second Irish province to leave Parc y Scarlets with a victory this season when they take on Scarlets tonight.
The Welsh side have suffered three losses in their opening three games with Munster defeating them 23-13 on their own patch in round one.
Connacht will try and add to their misery, although their record away to Scarlets is not good as they have never won at Parc Y Scarlets and have lost their last 11 away fixtures against them.
Like their opponents, Connacht have yet to register a win, and it could have been even worse as they were 22-10 down against Zebre last Saturday when a storm forced the abandonment of the fixture.
The reigning champions should have their strongest side of the season though and head coach Pat Lam has named Irish internationals Matt Healy, Kieran Marmion, Finlay Bealham, Quinn Roux and Ultan Dillane in his starting team.
Munster director of rugby Johan Erasmus has also named a much-changed side as Thomand Park sees its first PRO12 action of the season as Edinburgh make the trip to Limerick.
Cian Bohane has been named in the centre alongside Keith Earls, who has quickly overcome a hamstring problem. Dave Kilcoyne, Dave O’Callaghan and Ian Keatley have also been drafted in.
Munster enter the match on the back of a battling 20-16 victory away to Newport Gwent Dragons, and Erasmus has praised their ability to grind out a result.
“I think although we’re struggling at times a little bit, we’re biting the bullet and getting through tough games, we’re scrapping through and it builds confidence,” he said.
