Why is Anderson on the bench? Wouldn't it have made more sense to have Gannon there? Anderson is on the way OUT and probably Gannon to so it doesn't really matter. Think it's an odd decision. Happy that Murphy is playing again though.

Strong team and some good options on the bench. 2nd row looks a bit underpowered but apart from that happy enough. Hopefully Brian Murphy can build on his promising display last Friday.

Yeah, questioning the decision to put Gavin on the wing in place of Vainikolo. Perhaps it has been decided that Henshaw's future lies at fullback, but I've heard often enough on these boards that centre is his position. I figured this game would be a good opportunity to give him a run there especially with McSharry and Tonetti injured. I guess Murphy's strong showing against Cardiff earned him another go of it. If nothing else it's good to see the province so well represented in the backline. Good to have George on the bench though I'd say he's second row cover from the looks of it.

ConnachtCows wrote:

Creedence wrote: Fetu'u on the bench and Gavin on the wing? Is this a sign that Fets is on the way out?

Flavin in ahead of Reyneke too for the same reason?

I think you're reading too much into it.
Gav needs game time, and Flavin has barely touched a ball all season. We have a home game against the worst team in the league. Best chance to give them a run out

If that was the case then why not rest Robbie, who has played an amount of rugby this season and play Gav in his natural position, and leave Fets on the wing?

Creedence wrote: Fetu'u on the bench and Gavin on the wing? Is this a sign that Fets is on the way out?

Flavin in ahead of Reyneke too for the same reason?

I think you're reading too much into it.
Gav needs game time, and Flavin has barely touched a ball all season. We have a home game against the worst team in the league. Best chance to give them a run out

Fetu'u on the bench and Gavin on the wing? Is this a sign that Fets is on the way out?

Flavin in ahead of Reyneke too for the same reason?

Connacht team to face Zebre

Eric Elwood has announced his team to face Zebre in Round 17 of the RaboDirect PRO12 league.

Connacht Rugby welcome the Italian side to the Sportsground tomorrow (kick off 7:45pm) and there are three personnel changes to the team that beat Cardiff Blues last week.

Robbie Henshaw, who was on international duty last week, is named at Full Back for his 21st Connacht appearance.

27-year-old Brian Murphy, who made his Connacht debut in Cardiff last week, will start again at Inside Centre, in a partnership with fellow Galway native Eoin Griffin.

Skipper Gavin Duffy is named on the wing, replacing Fetu’u Vainikolo who moves to the bench.

Dan Parks was forced to withdraw late from last week’s fixture due to a niggling hamstring injury. He returns to Out Half duties tomorrow night.

Meanwhile, there is just one change up front with Mick Kearney replacing Michael Swift in the second row. Swift sustained a knee injury during training earlier in the week. Connacht’s highest capped player is waiting on scan results to determine the severity of the injury.

Recent returnee from injury George Naoupu is named on the bench.

Connacht XV

15. Robbie Henshaw
14. Danie Poolman
13. Eoin Griffin
12. Brian Murphy
11. Gavin Duffy (captain)
10. Dan Parks
9. Kieran Marmion

1. Brett Wilkinson
2. Jason Harris-Wright
3. Nathan White
4. Mick Kearney
5. Andrew Browne
6. John Muldoon
7. Willie Faloon
8. Eoin McKeon

Replacements: Adrian Flavin, Denis Buckley, Ronan Loughney, TJ Anderson, George Naoupu, Paul O’Donohoe, Miah Nikora, Fetu’u Vainikolo

Unavailable due to injury: Dave McSharry, Mike McCarthy, Frank Murphy, Dave Nolan, Johnny O’Connor, Tiernan O’Halloran, Michael Swift and Kyle Tonetti

Connacht v Zebre

The Sportsground, kick off 7.45pm

Tickets available from ticketmaster.ie and the Connacht Rugby offices. Click here for our amazing ticket offer.

Referee: Neil Hennessy (WRU, 14thcompetition game)

Assistant Referees: Michael Black, Ed Kenny (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Tom McCormack (IRFU)
TMO: Kevin Beggs (IRFU)

Connacht have won three of their last four games in the RaboDirect PRO12, whilst the Irishmen have been victorious in their last three fixtures at the Sportsground in all competitions. Connacht have won their last five matches against Italian opponents in all tournaments.

Zebre recorded their second loss by the narrowest of margins in being defeated 13-14 by Newport Gwent Dragons in Parma on Sunday – it was the fifth occasion in the PRO12 that Zebre have been leading inside the final quarter of a game only to eventually lose the match.

The two sides have met on three occasions this season – once in the RaboDirect PRO12 and twice in the European Cup – with Connacht victorious every time. Zebre lost 20-25 on their only previous visit to the Sportsground on January 18th.



- See more at: www.connachtrugby.ie/2013022783228/three...sthash.wXeMa9V0.dpuf

Wasrednowgreen wrote: Can't remember the last time Connacht won 3 games in a row

Last season we beat Dragons, Ulster and Aironi to put 3 wins together, the previous season we managed 4 in a row (Bayonne, Cavalieri, Scarlets and Glasgow).

You'd have to go back to 2003/04 to see a similar streak (Borders, Glasgow and Scarlets all away, then Borders again at home).

Our best ever competitive streaks (ITPE) of 5 were against Borders, Cardiff, Leinster, Newport and Bridgend in 02/03 and against Neath, Newport, Caerphilly, Narbonne and Parma the previous season; we've never got past 4 since the Welsh clubs were regionalised.

RogueXV wrote: But unfortunately not unheard of at Connacht.

It's not unheard of anywhere.

Cardiff will look upon being beaten by us last week the same way, as will Munster at getting beaten by Treviso, or Leinster getting hammered by us etc.. etc.. It happens, and I've yet to see any convincing evidence that it happens at Connacht anymore than anywhere else. Very few teams have the ability to not lose a handful of matches to sides they should comfortably beat on paper over the course of the season.

This is not going to be easy lads. These guys are strong in the front row like all Italian teams are. Can't remember the last time Connacht won 3 games in a row so if they play to their 100% full potential from the off , they WILL win. But...always a but.......when you expect it from them, they can let you down. So from the bloody start lads , from the bloody start to the end of the 80mins...................C'mon Connacht!!

Borders no.2 wrote: It would be a massive blow to slip up here.

But unfortunately not unheard of at Connacht. I just hope Eric is driving it into everyone's head the Connacht have lost to Italian sides such as this so they need to take the challenge seriously. That challenge is complacency more than Zebre.

I make it 10 changes from the HC game in January. Sole, Ferrarini (moves from 8 to 6), Bergamasco, Chillon and Pratachetti (moves from 13 to 12). are the only survivors of that game while Caffini who started the last game is on the bench for this one. Most of their key names missing. If we stay fully focused we should have no problems. It would be a massive blow to slip up here.

Travel's eve for Zebre that tomorrow will fly to Ireland for the last time this season. This will be the 5th time, the second one in Galway facing Connacht after the Heineken Cup Pool 3 Round six match played at the Sportsground one month ago; with Zebre so near to their first win after leading the score with 10 minutes left on the clock.

The "white & black striped" lost 25-20 at the end of the game due to a great kicking performance from Connacht fly-half Dan Parks. The two sides have met on three occasions this season - once in the RaboDirect PRO12 and twice in the European Cup - with Connacht victorious every time and Zebre still growing in their performances in front of the same opponent.
There are several changes with respect to last Sunday game in Parma when Zebre lost by the narrowest of margins 13-14 to the Dragons after being 13-3 at the 50th minute thanks to a Pratichetti try and Chillon kicks. The two are confirmed in the starting line-up; the same for the back triangle composed by Benettin at full-back and the two wingers Sarto and Sinoti. Among the backs the to new selections are the two Italian internationals : Buso at fly-half and Garcia at center.

In the pack the Irish prop Ryan will start in a first row forward line completed by the hooker Manici and the other prop De Marchi. Second rower Van Vuren is ruled out due to an injury occurred against Dragons and his place is taken by Sole who will pair with Italian skipper Bortolami. The back sees the return of Bergamasco who will play alongside number 8 Van Schalkwyk. On the other side the blindside flanker will be Ferrarini, man of the match last Sunday in Parma against the Dragons.

Here's Zebre Rugby line-up for Friday night game at the Galway Sportsground facing Connacht in the 17th Round of the RaboDirect PRO12 :

15 Alberto BENETTIN*
14 Leonardo SARTO*
13 Matteo PRATICHETTI
12 Gonzalo GARCIA
11 Sinoti SINOTI
10 Paolo BUSO
9 Alberto CHILLON*

8 Andries VAN SCHALKWYK
7 Mauro BERGAMASCO
6 Filippo FERRARINI*
5 Marco BORTOLAMI
4 Josh SOLE
3 David RYAN
2 Andrea MANICI*
1 Andrea DE MARCHI

Replacements :
16 Carlo FESTUCCIA
17 Matias AGUERO
18 Luciano LEIBSON
19 Emiliano CAFFINI*
20 Nicola BELARDO*
21 Guglielmo PALAZZANI
22 Alberto CHIESA*
23 Samuele PACE

Coach. Christian GAJAN

* Former member of the Italian Rugby Union academy "Ivan Francescato" of Tirrenia.

Not available for selection through injury : Nicola CATTINA, Filippo CAZZOLA*, Daniel HALANGAHU, Michael VAN VUREN.

Referee: Neil Hennessy (WRU, 14th competition game) the 2nd with Zebre after the Ospreys away game in Swansea.
Assistant Referees: Michael Black, Ed Kenny (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Tom McCormack (IRFU)
TMO: Kevin Beggs (IRFU)
Live on TG4 in Ireland.

The IMF wrote:

columoc wrote: Pretty cryptic poll up there.
Do you fancy a pint? Eddie O'Sullivan, I'm driving.

I think it's rhyming Connacht slang along the lines:

Pat Lam = I am

Eddie O'Sullivan = No I'm not coming

You have to work with me a bit on that!

Hahaha :lol:

My mind obviously works a little differently. It was a simple,
are you going to the game/is this person our next coach.
Pat Lam/Yes
Eddie O'Sullivan/No

columoc wrote: Pretty cryptic poll up there.
Do you fancy a pint? Eddie O'Sullivan, I'm driving.

I think it's rhyming Connacht slang along the lines:

Pat Lam = I am

Eddie O'Sullivan = No I'm not coming

You have to work with me a bit on that!

Pretty cryptic poll up there.
Do you fancy a pint? Eddie O'Sullivan, I'm driving.