Connacht Unchanged For Zebre Clash

Connacht head coach Eric Elwood has named his team and replacements to take on Zebre in their first away match of the RaboDirect PRO12.

There are no changes to the starting line-up from last weekend’s defeat to the Cardiff Blues.

But debutant prop Nathan White and Frank Murphy have been added to the province’s replacements bench, stepping in for Finlay Bealham and David Moore respectively.

Connacht will be looking to convert last weekend’s possession and opportunities into points when they challenge Italian newcomers Zebre in Parma on Saturday (kick-off 7.05pm local time/6.05pm Irish time).

Despite crossing the try-line twice in the first half an hour, handling errors denied the home side a try which would have made all the difference playing into the strong wind.

Previewing the second round clash, Eric Elwood said: “It’s a ‘must win’ match for both of us. They lost their opening game as well and it will be their first ever home match, so they will be up for it. But it gives us an immediate chance to put things right.”

CONNACHT (v Zebre): Gavin Duffy (capt); Tiernan O’Halloran, Eoin Griffin, Mata Fifita, Fetu’u Vainikolo; Miah Nikora, Kieran Marmion; Denis Buckley, Ethienne Reynecke, Ronan Loughney, Michael Swift, Mike McCarthy, John Muldoon, Johnny O’Connor, George Naoupu.

Replacements: Adrian Flavin, Rodney Ah You, Nathan White, David Gannon, Willie Faloon, Frank Murphy, Matthew Jarvis, Robbie Henshaw.