Preview: Connacht v Cardiff Blues

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Cardiff Blues travel to Galway on Saturday as they get their Guinness PRO14 campaign back underway.

John Mulvihill’s side make the trip to The Sportsground on the back of four PRO14 victories in five games.

The Arms Park outfit currently sit in fifth place in the Conference, but with only 11 points separating sixth place and top spot, it’s all to play for as we head into the business end of the campaign.

Hallam Amos and Kristian Dacey are welcomed back into the side following injuries, as Josh Turnbull makes his 100th Guinness PRO14 appearance in Cardiff Blues colours.

Cardiff Blues: Dan Fish; Jason Harries, Rey Lee-Lo, Garyn Smith, Hallam Amos; Jason Tovey, Lloyd Williams (capt.); Rhys Gill, Liam Belcher, Dmitri Arhip, Filo Paulo, James Ratti, Josh Turnbull, Olly Robinson, Will Boyde

Replacements: Kristian Dacey, Corey Domachowski, Scott Andrews, Seb Davies, Nick Williams, Lewis Jones, Ben Thomas, Ryan Edwards

Connacht: Tiernan O’Halloran; John Porch, Kyle Godwin, Peter Robb, Matt Healy; Jack Carty, Kieran Marmion; Paddy McAllister, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, Gavin Thornbury, Paul Boyle, Colby Fainga’a, Jarrad Butler (capt.)

Replacements: Shane Delahunt, Denis Buckley, Dominic Robertson-McCoy, Joe Maksymiw, Eoin McKeon, Caolin Blade, Conor Fitzgerald, Tom Daly

From the Vaults: Connacht 15 Cardiff Blues 17 (2017/18)

It was a classic affair at The Sportsground in 2017, with a dramatic finale at a typically windy Galway.

The visitors led at the break after a well-crafted try from Willis Halaholo, but Connacht fought back with a strong second half display.

With the fiery home atmosphere behind them, the hosts went ahead following tries from Darragh Leader and Shane Delahunt.

However, with full time fast approaching, hot-stepper Halaholo crossed the whitewash at the death, with Jarrod Evans’ perfectly weighted kick from out wide snatching the win.

Head-to-Head: Colby Fainga’a v Olly Robinson

It’s set to be an intriguing battle at open side this week, with Olly Robinson coming up against former Brumbies and Melbourne Rebels back row, Colby Fainga’a.

With Storm Dennis expected to hit Galway, every turnover will be crucial, and the battle of the breakdown could prove decisive.

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