Adams and Faletau boost Cardiff for Connacht trip

Josh Adams and Taulupe Faletau have both played for the British and Irish Lions

European Challenge Cup: Connacht v Cardiff

Venue: Dexcom Stadium, Galway Date: Saturday, 5 April Kick off: 20:00 BST

Coverage: Listen live on the BBC Sport website and app.

Wales duo Josh Adams and Taulupe Faletau have provided timely boosts for Cardiff as they return from injuries to head to Galway in the European Challenge Cup last-16 tie against Connacht on Saturday.

Wing Adams, 29, has been missing since mid-February because of a hamstring injury after playing in Wales' two opening Six Nations defeats against France and Italy.

Number eight Faletau, 34, featured in four Six Nations losses, but has been absent since the end of the tournament with a knee niggle.

Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt also welcomes back Wales prop Keiron Assiratti and captain Liam Belcher among eight changes.

The Welsh side face Connacht again in the Challenge Cup after suffering a home United Rugby Championship defeat by the Irish province in January.

Johan Mulder has won Sherratt's vote at scrum-half with centres Rey Lee-lo and Ben Thomas back at centre.

A 6-2 bench split sees Ellis Bevan and Rory Jennings as cover in the backs.

Connacht recall fit-again wing Shayne Bolton with JJ Hanrahan and Matthew Devine recalled at half-back.

Oisin Dowling returns at lock with Josh Murphy returning to the back row.

Sherratt said: "It's great to go into this time of the season fighting on two fronts, and we want to take that a step further against a strong Connacht side.

"They are a quality side, who are well coached and play good rugby. They like to keep the ball, they stay connected and are disciplined.

"But if we play at our best, we will give most teams a real game. I am confident that we can go there and get a result. We weren't far away when we went there in the league, it went down to the last play and was a one score game.

"We've added to our game and the boys are hugely motivated to go further into the knockout stages."

Connacht coach Cullie Tucker said: "Tomorrow is the start of an enormous opportunity in achieving our goals at this club which is to win silverware.

"Our results in the pool stage have set us up nicely for the knockouts, but that'll mean nothing if we don't go out and take advantage of it, starting tomorrow.

"Both meetings with Cardiff this season have been tight, physical affairs, and they'll be boosted by some returning internationals too.

"So the onus is on us to deliver a massive performance for all 80 plus minutes, backed up by a vocal home support behind the lads".

Connacht: Mack Hansen; Shayne Bolton, Hugh Gavin, Bundee Aki, Finn Treacy; JJ Hanrahan, Matthew Devine; Jordan Duggan, Dave Heffernan (capt), Finlay Bealham, Oisín Dowling, Darragh Murray, Josh Murphy, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Sean Jansen.

Replacements: Dylan Tierney-Martin, Denis Buckley, Jack Aungier, Niall Murray, Paul Boyle, Caolin Blade, Josh Ioane, Piers O'Conor.

Cardiff: Cameron Winnett; Josh Adams, Rey Lee-Lo, Ben Thomas, Harri Millard; Callum Sheedy, Johan Mulder; Danny Southworth, Liam Belcher (capt), Keiron Assiratti, Josh McNally, Teddy Williams, Alun Lawrence, James Botham, Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: Evan Lloyd, Corey Domachowski, Rhys Litterick, Rory Thornton, Alex Mann, Thomas Young, Ellis Bevan, Rory Jennings

Referee: Luc Ramos (FFR)

Assistant referees: Jeremy Rozier & Flavien Hourquet (FFR)

TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR).