Strong side. Looks like Pat is not going to risk an upset in Galway. I hope we can get the 5 points in the bag early and so that we can empty the bench and rest front line players

Connacht Champions Cup Team to face Zebre
13th January 2017

Connacht Rugby Head Coach Pat Lam has named his match day 23 to face Zebre in Round 5 of the Champions Cup tomorrow afternoon at the Sportsground (kick off 1pm – live on SKY Sports).

There are five personnel changes in total from the team that lined out in the Guinness PRO12 last weekend with two in the backs and three in the pack.

Craig Ronaldson returns from injury to start at inside centre while John Cooney will play at outhalf for the first time in his career. The scrumhalf position is filled by the returning Irish international Kieran Marmion.

Up front, Lewis Stevenson comes in to start in the second row, having made ten appearances from the bench this season. The back row sees the return of captain John Muldoon, who missed out through injury last week. His fellow Galway-man Eoin McKeon is named at openside flanker, having reached the 100-cap milestone at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea last weekend.

James Connolly and Naulia Dawai are named among the replacement forwards. New centre Tom Farrell, who was added to the Connacht Rugby squad this week, is named in his first match day squad for the province in what will also be his Champions Cup debut if he is called upon.

Commenting on the upcoming game, Pat Lam said:

“We’re excited by the challenge that the Champion Cup presents to us and the opportunity to qualify for the last eight of the competition. First up, we have a big game against Zebre tomorrow and are fully focused on putting in a performance to get us the points we need.

“Zebre are determined to get their first win in Europe and we know what they are capable of on their day. We have the advantage of being at home in front of our supporters so it’s up to us to ensure we get the job done.”

Team to face Zebre (Champions Cup)

Saturday January 14th, kick off 13:00, the Sportsground

(Connacht caps in brackets)

15 Tiernan O’Halloran (116)
14 Niyi Adeolokun (47)
13 Rory Parata (24)
12 Craig Ronaldson (56)
11 Matt Healy (82)
10 John Cooney (29)
9 Kieran Marmion (113)

1 Denis Buckley (106)
2 Tom McCartney (54)
3 Finlay Bealham (70)
4 Lewis Stevenson (10)
5 James Cannon (7)
6 Sean O’Brien (29)
7 Eoin McKeon (100)
8 John Muldoon (290) (captain)

Replacements:

16 Dave Heffernan (73)
17 JP Cooney (42)
18 John Andress (2)
19 James Connolly (21)
20 Naulia Dawai (4)
21 Caolin Blade (36)
22 Tom Farrell (0)
23 Danie Poolman (77

Betty Swallocks wrote: That would be my back row too Benji. Connolly has been seen very little of this year and this is the ideal game for him.

Its a pity Masterson isnt back in the mix. He was outstanding before the injury.

That would be my back row too Benji. Connolly has been seen very little of this year and this is the ideal game for him.

Nah, Dont risk him against Zebre. We have been lucky that he was able to play so much last year. We need him for the big games. Keep him fresh and Hungry for next week. Is connolly fit . I'd like McKeon at 8, Sob at 6 and Connolly at 7

Benji wrote: I'd give Muldoon another week off also. We need him for Toulouse

I'd be inclined to agree. Or at worst, play Mul for the first 40 minutes

I'd give Muldoon another week off also. We need him for Toulouse

I'm hoping Pat starts a few of the 2nd string lads where possible.

Give Tom a break, and start Heff
Start Danie in place of Niyi

Not too many changes, but let a few of the lads get a rest. Some of them are in dire need of it
We must remember who we are playing. Zebre are very poor at the moment. We're at home.
We do need to get the 5 points though as well, so that needs to be taken into consideration.

In the absence of our speculator-in-chief I'm going to make a guess at the 23 -

TOH, Niyi, Farrell, Craig, Matt, John Cooney, Marmion,
Bucks, Tom, Finlay, Cannon, Stevenson, SOB, McKeon, Mul.

Reps: Heff, JP, Andress, Dawai, Connolly, Blade, Parata, Danie.

Hopefully there will be another few lads fit and I'm wrong.

Podge57 wrote:

Conn Not 65 wrote: Paddy Power are in total agreement with you. They are giving Zebre + 35 in the handicap betting . Oh us of little faith ....... Roll on Saturday looks like it could be hip flask weather !!

Am I correct that Zebre as a franchise is being wound up in favour of a Rome based outfit?

Speculation only at this stage...
Was talk before this ot a third Italian team (in Rome) in an expanded Pro12.

Personally as great as Rome is, it's way more expensive to get to and stay in...

Conn Not 65 wrote: Paddy Power are in total agreement with you. They are giving Zebre + 35 in the handicap betting . Oh us of little faith ....... Roll on Saturday looks like it could be hip flask weather !!

Am I correct that Zebre as a franchise is being wound up in favour of a Rome based outfit?

agreed, would like to see wholesale changes at halftime if we've built up a good lead.

If Ronaldson is available, we would be less reliant on Cooney to kick. I recon that Ronaldson will start at ten if fit and have Cooney come on at 10 so that he doesn't have to play the full 80 first day back.

Paddy Power are in total agreement with you. They are giving Zebre + 35 in the handicap betting . Oh us of little faith ....... Roll on Saturday looks like it could be hip flask weather !!

I reckon it'll be a handy b.p. win. Zebre are a shambles of a club.

I know it's been said Connacht will not necessarily be eliminated with a loss, but they need a win of any variety to start building some momentum for the Toulouse game. More than anything they need to show they can finish off chances. If they can, and if Ronaldson is involved I think it is more likely, they just might come away with the full 5 points. Still plenty off quality in the back line so it is possible.