SKIPPER GAVIN DUFFY returns to the starting XV as Connacht search for their first back-to-back wins of the season against the Newport Gwent Dragons tomorrow evening.

Duffy crossed for a try within a minute of coming off the bench against Benneton Treviso last week, his first provincial action since injuring his hamstring in late September.

The 31-year-old starts on the left wing as one of three changes made by manager Eric Elwood for the RaboDirect Pro12 trip to Rodney Parade.

Elwood’s other changes come in the second row where Mick Kearney comes in to replace Mike McCarthy, who remains on duty with the Ireland squad. Kearney is joined by Michael Swift who will make his 229th appearance for the Westerners.

Fresh from agreeing a full professional deal until 2016, scrum-half Kieran Marmion starts again alongside Dan Parks.

Winger Matt Healy is named among the replacements and could earn his first cap for the province. Healy, 23, signed from Lansdowne RFC but caught Elwood’s eye with his performances for the Connacht Eagles.

Dragons coach Darren Edwards has named an unchanged side for Friday evening’s match.

Connacht (v Dragons): Robbie Henshaw; Tiernan O’Halloran, Danie Poolman, Dave McSharry, Gavin Duffy (c); Dan Parks, Kieran Marmion; Denis Buckley, Jason Harris-Wright, Nathan White; Michael Swift, Mick Kearney; Andrew Browne, Willie Faloon, Eoin McKeon.

Replacements: Ethienne Reynecke, Rodney Ah You, Ronan Loughney, Dave Gannon, Johnny O’Connor, David Moore, Miah Nikora, Matt Healy.

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