Connacht vs Sharks Predictions - Sharks set for tight contest in Connacht

Connacht beat the Sharks 13-12 in Durban last season.

Last season Connacht finished 11th on the table with nine wins from their 18 matches. They are usually very strong at home, so getting off to a strong start in front of their fans could be key.

Last weekend in their season opener, Connacht game within a whisker of a cracking win at Munster. It was a fine game of rugby that swung from one side to the other with Connacht showing some good attacking intent.

In the end, the visitors went down 35-33 on the road. This week they will fancy their chances are home soil.

Connacht are likely to make some changes even if it is just rotational. They do, however, still have some injury concerns.

The Sharks, on paper, are one of the top sides in the URC but they endured a shocking season last time out. They finished 14th on the table with just four wins in 18 games.

However, at the turn of the year, the Sharks form did improve drastically, and they went on to win the European Challenge Cup. They continued that good form by winning the Currie Cup last weekend against the Lions.

While many of their starts are still on international duty, the Sharks still have a side laden with young and experienced talent.

Hero from last week, Jordan Hendrikse starts at full back with the team looking very much the same. Springbok prop, Trevor Nyakane starts from the bench while Andre Esterhuizen partners young gun Jurenzo Julius in midfield.