Pat Lam gambles on a scrum-half at No. 10

Connacht coach Pat Lam has gambled by starting today’s key Champions Cup pool game against Zebre without a recognised out-half.

Last week’s knee injury to Jack Carty, a concussion for Shane O’Leary, and Marnitz Boshoff’s shoulder surgery means that scrum-half John Cooney will start his first game in the No 10 shirt against the Italians.

As recently as Tuesday afternoon, Connacht confirmed that Cooney was not an option to undertake the role having never trained in the position, but despite having Craig Ronaldson back in the side, Cooney has been asked to fill the key play-making hub.