Match Preview: Connacht

• 10 March 2021
• Previews

Get the latest ahead of Saturday night's clash away to Connacht (kick-off 7.35pm) with this week's Match Preview.

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HOW TO WATCH

The match is live on Premier Sports 2 from 7pm ahead of a 7.35pm kick-off at The Sportsground. You can can also keep up with minute-by-minute updates via the Galbraith Match Centre.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT

The Edinburgh Rugby squad to face Connacht in Galway will be named at 12 noon on Friday 12 March via press release, as well as on the club's website and social channels.

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Chris Busby (IRFU, 6^th competition game)

Assistant Referees: Eoghan Cross, Stuart Gaffikin (both IRFU)

TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)

CONFERENCE STANDINGS

OVERALL PRO14 RECORD

Played 33 Connacht won 14, Edinburgh won 17, with 2 games drawn

STORY OF THE MATCH

Connacht’s hopes of reaching the Guinness PRO14 final evaporated last weekend with a 20-17 defeat by Conference B leaders Munster in a physical interprovincial clash at Thomond Park.

That ended a three-match winning run in the PRO14 for the Westerners, who are eight points clear of Scarlets with two games remaining.

Edinburgh’s three-game winning run against Connacht came to an end five months ago in a 37-26 defeat and they go into Saturday’s clash having won just one of their last four matches.

Last week’s clash with Benetton was postponed after a positive coronavirus test in the Italian's camp.

LAST TIME OUT

The two sides met at BT Murrayfield in Round 3 of the competition where Connacht powered to a 26-37 victory in difficult conditions. Full highlights below:

RECENT MEETINGS

KEY STATS

Connacht’s three game winning run in the Guinness PRO14 ended with their 17-20 defeat at Munster on Friday.

Connacht have not won successive matches at The Sportsground since October 2019.

Edinburgh Rugby have won just one of their last four Guinness PRO14 matches: 26-10 at Zebre on 23 January.

The capital club have lost their last six fixtures against Irish provinces since beating todays opponents, Connacht, at Murrayfield in February 2020.

Connacht’s 37-26 victory over Edinburgh in their most recent meeting in October 2020 ended a three-game winning run by the Scotsmen in the fixture.

TEAM COMPARISON