Greyhound track, hail, wind ... Stormers are going to ’embrace’ Connacht experience

Cape Town - Stormers coach John Dobson says they are embracing the unique experience that awaits them in Galway when they face Connacht in their United Rugby Championship clash on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

The Stormers have made three changes and a positional switch for the fixture against the Irish side.

Evan Roos, Herschel Jantjies and Dan du Plessis have all been selected, while Damian Willemse shifts to fullback for the Stormers’ first ever match against the Irish side.

Willemse, who ran out at 12 in their last local derby against the Lions, is at fullback in the place of Warrick Gelant, who has been ruled out injured, with Du Plessis coming in at inside centre.

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Jantjies featured off the bench in the 32-10 win at Ellis Park a fortnight ago, while Roos returns from injury.

Props Ali Vermaak and Neethling Fouche and loose forward Junior Pokomela are among the replacements, having returned from injury recently.

Dobson explained Willemse's selection.

“We have a string of six home games coming up. It was about weighing up the risk against the return of playing Warrick in these conditions, which aren’t his natural habitat and could do more damage to his hamstring,” he said.

“When you play into the wind, you have to try and keep the ball. You can’t do that if they put a wall of 14 players up. Warrick has his traditional counter-attacks, but we may need some territorial attacking kicks or a fullback who can smash back into the line, which Damian is well suited for.”

Dobson added that they are expecting a different challenge at The Sportsground and it’s one they’re welcoming.

It's matchday in Galway where the DHL