The penultimate round of the GUINNESS PRO12 sees Connacht seeking to confirm their place in the play-offs with another winning performance away to struggling Benetton Treviso.
GUINNESS PRO12: Friday, April 29
BENETTON TREVISO (12th) v CONNACHT (2nd), Stadio di Monigo, 7.30pm local time/6.30pm Irish time (live TG4 (UPC 602/Saorview Red Button)/Rai Sport)
Team News: Ahead of Connacht’s trip to Stadio di Monigo tonight, head coach Pat Lam has made 10 personnel changes to the team that defeated Munster last time out.
Connacht-born players Jack Carty and Tiernan O’Halloran both return from injury to start in a back-line that also sees the introduction of winger Fionn Carr and scrum half John Cooney. Rory Parata is named to start in an Academy centre partnership with Peter Robb.
Up front, props Ronan Loughney and Rodney Ah You start in the front row with hooker Tom McCartney who captains the side for the second time this season.
Quinn Roux and Andrew Browne make up a new second row partnership, while the back row is also changed with the return of openside flanker Jake Heenan from injury. Eoin McKeon shifts to number 8 with regular skipper John Muldoon named on the bench.
Caolin Blade and the fit-again AJ MacGinty are included amongst the replacement backs alongside Ireland international Robbie Henshaw.
Matt Healy suffered a minor back injury last week to rule him out of selection for the Treviso game. Connacht’s injury list also includes Denis Buckley, Bundee Aki, Nathan White, Ben Marshall, Nepia Fox-Matamua, Eoghan Masterson, Craig Ronaldson, Dave McSharry, Danie Poolman, Darragh Leader and Ciaran Gaffney.
Meanwhile, Benetton Treviso boss Marius Goosen has made four changes – all in the pack – to the team that lost 47-10 away to the Ospreys in round 20.
The Italians have suffered five PRO12 defeats in a row but are desperate to overhaul Zebre for the automatic Italian Champion’s Cup place next year.
Winger Ludovico Nitoglia’s last game for Treviso sees him feature in an unchanged back-line, while loosehead prop Matteo Zanusso comes in for the suspended Alberto de Marchi.
Tom Palmer rejoins Filo Paulo in the second row, with Francesco Minto and number 8 Braam Steyn added to a powerful back row unit alongside the vastly experienced Alessandro Zanni.
BENETTON TREVISO: Jayden Hayward; Angelo Esposito, Luca Morisi, Alberto Sgarbi (capt), Ludovico Nitoglia; Sam Christie, Edoardo Gori; Matteo Zanusso, Omel Gega, Simone Ferrari, Filo Paulo, Tom Palmer, Francesco Minto, Alessandro Zanni, Braam Steyn.
Replacements: Davide Giazzon, Cherif Traorè, Salesi Manu, Marco Fuser, Marco Lazzaroni, Alberto Lucchese, Luke McLean, Tommaso Iannone.
CONNACHT: Tiernan O’Halloran; Niyi Adeolokun, Rory Parata, Peter Robb, Fionn Carr; Jack Carty, John Cooney; Ronan Loughney, Tom McCartney (capt), Rodney Ah You, Quinn Roux, Andrew Browne, Sean O’Brien, Jake Heenan, Eoin McKeon.
Replacements: Dave Heffernan, JP Cooney, Finlay Bealham, Aly Muldowney, John Muldoon, Caolin Blade, AJ MacGinty, Robbie Henshaw.
Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland)
Assistant Referees: Claudio Blessano, Stefano Bolzonella (both Italy)
Television Match Official: Alan Falzone (Italy)
Match Odds (Paddy Power): Benetton Treviso to win: 7/2; Draw: 30/1; Connacht to win: 1/6
Pre-Match Quotes: Pat Lam (Connacht) – “We’re under no illusions when it comes to the challenge we face in trying to secure a semi-final spot on Friday night in Italy. Treviso are desperate for points to get them into next year’s Champions Cup. This is their last home game before they travel to play Leinster in the RDS so we know which game they will be targeting for the crucial points.
“However, we’re very excited to be playing for so much at this time of the year. As well as a maiden semi-final place, we have a great opportunity to be the only team to have stayed in the top four for all 22 rounds of the league competition.
“Considering we have had to change the starting team for every round it would be a great testament to the level of consistency we have reached all season as a squad.
“With some players returning and unfortunately losing a few others to injury, we see a much-changed team again this week. But the expectation remains that those selected have a responsibility to execute their roles and work hard for the team. This will give us the best chance to secure the points and some very special outcomes for Connacht Rugby.”
Top Scorers – 2015/16 GUINNESS PRO12: Benetton Treviso – Points: Jayden Hayward 144; Tries: Jayden Hayward, Robert Barbieri 4 each; Connacht – Points: Craig Ronaldson 89; Tries: Matt Healy 9
RECENT LEAGUE MEETINGS:
Friday, April 26, 2013 – Benetton Treviso 23 Connacht 23, Stadio di Monigo
Friday, October 4, 2013 – Benetton Treviso 23 Connacht 3, Stadio di Monigo
Saturday, March 1, 2014 – Connacht 38 Benetton Treviso 6, the Sportsground
Friday, October 10, 2014 – Benetton Treviso 6 Connacht 9, Stadio di Monigo
Sunday, March 1, 2015 – Connacht 53 Benetton Treviso 5, the Sportsground
Friday, November 6, 2015 – Connacht 33 Benetton Treviso 19, the Sportsground
MATCH FACTS:
– Benetton Treviso have lost their last five GUINNESS PRO12 matches since beating the Newport Gwent Dragons at home in round 15 but are still within touching distance of Zebre for the automatic Italian Champions Cup place next year
– Treviso have not beaten an Irish province in any tournament since their 23-3 victory over Connacht at Stadio di Monigo in October 2013
– Connacht require just one more league point to qualify for the play-offs for the first time since the competition went home and away in 2003/04
– The westerners’ only defeat in the last eight rounds of the PRO12 came at Ulster on April 1
– Treviso have beaten Connacht just once since 2011, while Connacht’s record at Stadio di Monigo is an even won two, drawn one, lost two, but they have not scored a try at the venue since April 2013
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