Connacht ring the changes for visit to Treviso

RABO DIRECT PRO12

Captain Michael Swift and outhalf Craig Ronaldson are casualties from the Ospreys’ clash last weekend, while Robbie Henshaw is unavailable due to IRFU player welfare regulations.

In addition Tiernan O’Halloran returns to the right wing, with Danie Poolman moving to partner Eoin Griffin in the centre, scrumhalf Paul O’Donohoe makes his first start, and Academy outhalf Jack Carty is named on the bench.

Up front, props Brett Wilkinson and Nathan White move to the bench and make way for Rodney Ah You and Ronan Loughney. Craig Clarke will captain the side.

Lam says Connacht, with mounting injuries, face a difficult task.

“We don’t have the depth in our squad like other teams. It’s not a complaint, just a fact, so we have to dig deep. The biggest challenge this week is Treviso’s physicality, the short turnaround and travel, and the injuries. We haven’t been able to do much because of all the knocks and bruises, but that is the challenge for us to overcome,” he reasoned.

Without a Pro 12 win since their opening day victory over Zebre, Connacht need to win the battle up front and cut out the defensive errors which cost them last weekend if they are to gain a victory.

CONNACHT: G Duffy, T O’Halloran, D Poolman, E Griffin, F Carr, D Parks, P O’Donohoe, R Ah You, S Henry, R Loughney, A Muldowney, C Clarke (cpt), A Browne, J Heenan, G Naoupu.

Replacements: J Rael, B Wilkinson, N White, J Muldoon, M Fifita, K Marmion, J Carty, M Healy.

TREVISO: B Williams, L Nitoglia, M Campagnaro, A Sgarbi, C Loamanu, A De Bernardo, E Gori, M Rizzo, E Ceccato, A De Marchi, A Pavanello (cpt) M Fuser, S Favaro, A Zanni, R Barbieri.

Replacements: G Maistri, I Fernandez-Rouyet, P De Santo, V Bernabo, D Budd, L Morisi, L McLean, R Botes.