Connacht take on Cardiff in the latest round of matches in the Challenge Cup on Friday night. JJ Hanrahan makes his long-awaited return as Connacht look to nail down top seeding play-offs.

With a last 16 tie already tied up for the Dexcom Stadium, victory over the Blues would guarantee the westerners a home passage right through to the final if they can maintain their winning streak.

Former Munster out-half Hanrahan, who has been out since April with an ACL, has been named on the bench as Josh Ioane continues at out-half.

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Four of the seven Connacht players named in Simon Easterby's Six Nations selection - including Ben Murphy in the small training panel selected - are involved for the trip to Wales, with Bundee Aki, Finlay Bealham and skipper Cian Prendergast also involved.

Of the seven, Caolin Blade, Cathal Forde - who is also in the training panel - and the suspended Mack Hansen sit out this fixture.

Connacht's seven-try romp in Galway against Lyon last weekend - with Murphy scoring a hat-trick - was their third victory on the spin in Europe.

It puts them in a strong position heading to Cardiff.

Where and when is the game?

The game takes place at Cardiff Arms Park on Friday night, January 17.

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What time is kick-off?

The match kicks off at 8pm.

What TV channel is it on?

You can watch the game on Premier Sports 2. Premier Sports subscribers can also stream the game on the Premier Player.

Betting Odds

• Cardiff 13/8

• Connacht 1/2

• Draw 25/1

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