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After a testing time last week against Cardiff at home, Connacht's focus now turns to their improving away form and the tough examination they can expect against Ulster on Saturday evening 5.30pm.

Connacht’s only World Cup player, Fetu’u Vainikolo, is in line to make his debut for the province in Saturday evening’s RaboDirect Pro 12 fixture against Cardiff at the Galway Sportsground (6pm). The Tongan World Cup player, who has played on both left and right wings, has been recovering from a medial ligament tear and is expected to make his first start for Connacht this weekend. The 26-years-old, who signed for Connacht from the Otago Highlanders, returned to Galway after Tonga’s exit from the World Cup. After a late call-up to the Tonga squad, Vainikolo was given a starting place in Tonga's 25-20 loss to Canada, and scored a try against Japan in the group matches before suffering a knee injury. Connacht coach Eric Elwood says Vainikolo has returned from New Zealand full of confidence.

Connacht’s only World Cup player, Fetu’u Vainikolo, is in line to make his debut for the province in Saturday evening’s RaboDirect Pro 12 fixture against Cardiff at the Galway Sportsground (6pm).

Eric Elwood is counting on the two-week break from Rabo Direct Pro 12 action to give his injured players time to recover before an intensive 13 weeks of competition resumes after the World Cup.

Connacht coach Eric Elwood continues to sweat on the availability of some key players for the first interprovincial of this season’s RaboDirect Pro 12. Elwood is delaying naming his starting XV for Saturday’s clash with Leinster at the RDS (5pm) to allow players as much time as possible to recover. Key players include captain Gavin Duffy (calf), winger Tiernan O’Halloran (hamstring), and Eoin Griffin (hamstring). Also carrying injuries, but expected to recover are Frank Murphy (groin), Henry Fa’afili (hip), TJ Anderson (ribs) and Brian Tuohy. James Loxton, who came on as a replacement in his first Pro 12 game last weekend, is ruled out with a medial strain, joining Keith Matthews, Miah Nikora, and Andrew Browne and George Naoupu

Connacht coach Eric Elwood continues to sweat on the availability of some key players for the first interprovincial of this season’s RaboDirect Pro 12.

Connacht return to the Galway Sportsground tomorrow evening (7.30pm) determined to make up for last weekend’s narrow loss to Edinburgh.

Connacht return to the Galway Sportsground this evening determined to make up for last weekend’s narrow loss to Edinburgh. Having played most of the rugby last weekend, Connacht know they let themselves down when failing to take advantage of their opportunities, and coach Eric Elwood says tomorrow discipline will be the key. “What killed us last weekend was our discipline, the penalty count at one stage was 10 to two. But the best thing about league rugby is you can put it right the following week with four points,” said Elwood. “I think the lads know they didn’t do themselves justice last week so we’re expecting a big performance this week from everybody. We can’t change results, but we can change how we play on Friday.”

Connacht’s biggest season since the game turned professional kicks off on Saturday when the province travels to Italy to face Benetton Treviso in the newly-named Rabo Direct Pro 12 League. Having achieved a best place finish in the Celtic League last season, Connacht’s task now is to consolidate that position, while enjoying the glamour that Heineken Cup rugby will bring to the province for the first time.

Connacht’s biggest season since the game turned professional kicks off on Saturday when the province travels to Italy to face Benetton Treviso in the newly-named Rabo Direct Pro 12 League.