The NEC Harlequins team to play Connacht in the first leg of the Parker Pen Challenge Cup semi-final at the Stoop on Sunday (11th April), kick-off 1.00pm, shows three changes to the side that started in the 15-all draw against London Irish in the Zurich Premiership last weekend (4th April).
In the pack, Roy Winters starts in the back row in place of Pat Sanderson. Sanderson damaged his shoulder last weekend and it has been recommended by the medical team that he keep out of action for a week.
In the back division, both Paul Burke and George Harder have recovered from their illness and secondary injuries respectively and are fit to take their place in the starting line-up. Burke replaces Andy Dunne at fly half, while Harder's return to the right wing means Simon Keogh moves to scrum half in place of Ben Willis.
"This is a massive game for both teams," said NEC Harlequins Chief Executive Mark Evans. "Connacht are a very good team, who have had some tremendous wins both home and away against teams such as Beziers, Pau and Narbonne to reach this stage of the competition."
"From what we have seen they look a very well organised side who have a tremendous team spirit. The number of times that they have come from behind to win is a huge testament to their spirit and determination."
"The Parker Pen Challenge Cup is a great tournament and the quality of the four semi-finalists shows it is a very difficult competition to win. It is very important to us to perform well over the two legs of this semi-final. However, I am sure that Michael Bradley will be saying exactly the same to Connacht."
"As a group we have a lot of respect for what Connacht have achieved this season. It goes without saying that the two games will be very tight affairs, hopefully giving full entertainment to our supporters, with a place in a European final at stake."
Meawhile The Connacht team to play Harlequins in the first leg of the Parker Pen Challenge Cup semi-final at The Stoop on Sunday has been announced.
Coach Michael Bradley and his assistant John McKee have no fresh injury worries as Connacht strive to reach their first ever European final.
Connacht: M Mostyn; C McPhillips, D Yapp, M McHugh, W Munn; E Elwood, M Walls; D McFarland, B Jackman (capt), A Clarke, D Browne, A Farley, M Swift, M Lacey, J O'Sullivan
Replacements: J Fogarty, P Bracken, M McCarthy, P Neville, C O'Loughlin, S Moore, T Robinson,
NEC Harlequins: G Duffy; G Harder, W Greenwood, M Deane, U Monye; P Burke, S Keogh; M Worsley, T Fuga, J Dawson, S Miall, J Evans, R Winters, A Vos (capt), T Diprose
Replacements: J Hayter, L Gomez, C Jones, B Davison, L Sherriff, B Willis, A Dunne
