ROBBIE HENSHAW WILL make his first Connacht start on Friday evening as Eric Elwood’s men go to Glasgow in search of their second win of the new RaboDirect Pro12 season.
With centre Eoin Griffin recovering from the ankle injury which forced him off during the 24-11 defeat against the Scarlets, Henshaw partners Dave McSharry in a youthful midfield. The 19-year-old has impressed Elwood this season, coming off the bench in all three of Connacht’s games.
Henshaw’s introduction is one of eight changes from the side which lined out in the Sportsground last Saturday. On the wings, Mark McCrea and James Loxton replace Fetu’u Vainikolo and Tiernan O’Halloran while Matthew Jarvis comes in at out-half in place of Miah Nikora, who is rested.
Prop Adrian Flavin, who made his 100th league appearance for the province last week, starts in place of Ethienne Reynecke. George Naoupu and Dave Gannon form a new-look second row while Johnny O’Connor is named at blindside flanker.
Academy duo Kevin O’Byrne and Jack Carty could get their first bit of game time as they feature among the replacements for the trip to Scotstoun Stadium.
The Warriors impressed by beating reigning champions Ospreys last weekend but coach Gregor Townsend now has to plan without international scrum-half Chris Cusiter.
Cusiter dislocated his shoulder in Friday’s 28-10 win, and while the injury does not require surgery, he is expected to be sidelined until mid-December. Henry Pyrgos will start at scrum-half against Connacht.
Connacht: Gavin Duffy (c); James Loxton, Robbie Henshaw, Dave McSharry, Mark McCrea; Matthew Jarvis, Kieran Marmion; Brett Wilkinson, Adrian Flavin, Nathan White; George Naoupu, Dave Gannon; Johnny O’Connor, Willie Faloon, Eoin McKeon.
