Connacht have dispelled coach Steph Nel's worst pre-season fears with a stunning run of four wins and today they have a very real chance of a fifth victory on the bounce against a Bridgend side reeling from a couple of thumpings in succession.
POOL B: Bridgend v Connacht, The Brewery Field (2.30)
Their president, JPR Williams, was bullishly announcing that after a couple of years of expensive investment and under-achievement Bridgend were really taking shape as a team following wins over Newport and Borders. But the latter two are the only winless sides in Pool B, and those results have been put in perspective by defeats to Pontypridd and Glasgow. Nevertheless, their midfield pairing of Daffyd James and Gareth Thomas are reckoned to be the best in Welsh club rugby and Tongan captain Sililo Martens at scrumhalf is highly rated. Despite missing Simon Mannix and full back Matt Jones, they have eight internationals in their line-up.
Bridgend are also effectively facing a win-or-bust scenario and with home advantage the bookies make it an even-money game. Connacht could do with a win as insurance, given they conclude their pool programme at home to Pontypridd next Saturday and visit in-form Glasgow in October.
Warwick Waugh is bound to be a loss but Connacht remain Ireland's most settled provincial side, and have the confidence with their unbeaten start to the season.
BRIDGEND: A Carter; C Richards, G Thomas, D James, R Mustoe; C Warlow, S Martens; C Loader, G Williams, C Horsman, D Jones, A Moore, M Molitika, N Budgett, C Harris. Replacements: H Harries, J Funnell, B Phillips, P Booth, J Thiel, R Bryan, R Jones.
CONNACHT: M McHugh; T Robinson, D Yapp, T Allnutt (capt), W Munn; E Elwood, C Keane; D McFarland, J Flannery, P Bracken, D Browne, R Frost, C Rigney, E Peters, J O'Sullivan. Replacements: R McCormack, M Uijs, M Swift, P Neville, E Reddan, S Moore, J Norton.
Previous meetings: None.
Formguide: Bridgend - W 13-5 v Newport (a), W 41-9 (h) v Borders, L 9-26 (h) v Pontypridd, L 11-47 (a) v Glasgow. Connacht - W 28-27 (a) v Borders, W 23-22 (h) v Cardiff, W 26-23 (a) v Leinster, W 18-12 v Newport.
Leading try scorers: Bridgend -James, Harries, Mustoe, Molitika, Horsman, Thomas, Williams 1 try each. Connacht - Wayne Munn 2.
Leading points scorers: Bridgend - Craig Warlow 39 pts. Connacht - Eric Elwood 48 pts.
Odds (Paddy Powers): 10/11 Bridgend, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Connacht.
Also playing: Pool A - Swansea v Caerphilly (2.30). Pool B - Pontypridd v Glasgow (2.30); Newport v Cardiff (5.30).
