Connacht's signing of versatile Kiwi backline star Sam Gilbert for next season came as a timely boost ahead of their URC clash with Edinburgh.
Gilbert, 26, is joining in the summer and has a lot of Super Rugby experience under his belt. The Highlanders star began as an out-half but plays along the backline.
Confirmation of the move followed Thursday afternoon's reveal that dynamic westerners duo Bundee Aki and Mack Hansen will travel to Australia with the British and Irish Lions.
However that doesn't distract from the fact that the province's play-off hopes barely have a pulse and to keep it beating into the final round of regular fixtures they must win at home tonight.
Where is the game on?
The match will be played at Dexcom Stadium, Galway
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What time is kick-off?
The match kicks off at 7.35pm on Saturday
What TV channel is it on?
TG4 (from 7.15pm), Premier Sports 1 (from 7.15pm) and will be streamed live on URC.tv
Betting odds
Connacht 2/5 to win, Edinburgh 21/10 to win, a draw is 18/1
Partnered
While Hansen is sidelined through injury, Aki makes his 150th appearance for Connacht and is partnered in the centre by Hugh Gavin, who earns his ninth cap.
After his recent return to the side, Jack Carty signed a new one-year deal this week but the veteran out-half misses out with a minor ankle injury - JJ Hanrahan starts at No.10 in his final home game for the province before returning to Munster.
"We know our playoff hopes are out of our own hands, but that's not stopping us doing everything we can to finish this season strongly," said interim head coach Cullie Tucker.
"We're aiming for 10 points across these final two games, starting against a tough Edinburgh side, and then whatever happens happens after that.
"Our supporters have been brilliant to us, especially during the more difficult times, so for this final home game we want to give them something to cheer for.
"It's also the final Dexcom game for a number of our departing players, so we want to pay tribute to them in the right way, both on and off the field. So it should be a great occasion and we're looking forward to the challenge."
Connacht: Santiago Cordero, Shayne Bolton, Hugh Gavin, Bundee Aki, Finn Treacy, JJ Hanrahan, Ben Murphy, Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Josh Murphy, Darragh Murray, Cian Prendergast (capt), Conor Oliver, Sean Jansen
Replacements: Dylan Tierney-Martin, Peter Dooley, Jack Aungier, Oisín Dowling, Paul Boyle, Caolin Blade, Cathal Forde, David Hawkshaw.
Edinburgh Rugby: Wes Goosen, Darcy Graham, Matt Currie, Mosese Tuipulotu, Jack Brown, Ross Thompson, Ali Price, Pierre Schoeman, Ewan Ashman, D’arcy Rae, Marshall Sykes, Sam Skinner, Ben Muncaster, Hamish Watson, Magnus Bradbury (capt)
Replacements: Paddy Harrison, Boan Venter, Javan Sebastian, Glen Young, Liam McConnell, Charlie Shiel, Ben Healy, James Lang.
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