Lam’s charges aim to leave understrength Scarlets side with red-faces

Connacht’s star centres of early last season, Dave McSharry and Eoin Griffin, are in line to renew their partnership this Saturday against Llanelli Scarlets at the Sportsground (kick-off 5pm).

Pat Lam’s charges are desperate for a win in the RaboDirect PRO 12 and the combination of McSharry and Griffin, who worked so well together last year, could be the key to unlocking the visitors’ defence this weekend.

The duo haven’t played alongside each other at senior level since January, against the Dragons – McSharry was man-of-the-match that day at 12, setting up two tries that sent Connacht on their way to victory.

But the Dubliner was subsequently ruled out for the season, and underwent groin surgery in April. He returned to action against Zebre in October and made his first competitive start in the defeat at the hands of Glasgow few weeks back.

The 23-years-old teamed-up with Griffin for the first time in over 10 months when lining out for the Connacht Eagles (the ‘A’ team) against Ulster Ravens last week. And though the result wasn’t particularly pleasing – Ravens won handily, 35-10 – Connacht fans took comfort from the sight of the exciting pair back playing together in the centre.

Griffin, who has been out of action since injuring himself in the warm-up against Treviso earlier this season, was lacking game-time but the run-out at Ravenhill should bring him on and puts him bang in contention for selection in the starting XV, which will be announced Friday.

The back-row is one area that Lam could do without any more injuries but unfortunately for Connacht, Mata Fifita suffered a knee injury in Friday’s game against Ravens – he’s out for up to a month.

At least there is positive news with the return of two young back-rows, Eoin McKeon and Aaron Conneely. Galway forwards John Muldoon and Andrew Browne remain out but are making progress and it is hoped they’ll return to action next month.

The versatile Robbie Henshaw, who was sprung from the bench during Ireland’s disappointing display against Australia last week, was still with the Ireland camp mid-week ahead of the New Zealand clash on Sunday.

Scarlets travel to Galway without several front-line players who have been named in Warren Gatland’s squad to face Tonga this weekend, including hooker Ken Owens and prop Rhodri Jones, who are in the starting XV, as well as hooker Emyr Phillips, prop Samson Lee and out-half Rhys Priestland.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.