Rigney back for clash with Edinburgh

CENTRE Mel Deane is one of four players who return to the Connacht starting line-up for this evening’s vital Magners League clash against Edinburgh at the Sportsground (6:30pm).Deane has recovered from a hamstring injury and will replace Aidan Wynne, who wore the No. 12 jersey in Connacht’s 27-10 defeat to London Irish in their European Challenge Cup pool game last weekend.The Englishman will line out beside outside centre Gavin Duffy, who will no doubt be in fine spirits after receiving the call-up to the Irish squad ahead of the Autumn Internationals. The 27-year-old has been in impressive form for the province of late and he has featured in every Connacht match in the Magners League and European Challenge Cup this season.Duffy will be hoping to add to his eight caps to date for Ireland when they kick off their Autumn Internationals on November 8 against Canada in Thomond Park. Ireland subsequently host New Zealand on Saturday, November 15, and Argentina on Saturday, November 22. Both games will take place in Croke Park.While Duffy’s inclusion in the squad is a major boost to the province, one cannot but feel a sense of disappointment at the exclusion of blindside flanker and Connacht captain John Muldoon, a player who has been in terrific form so far this season. One could also make a ...