Elwood names unchanged team for Zebre clash

Eric Elwood has named an unchanged starting XV to face new club Zebre in Friday’s RaboDirect PRO12 meeting at Parma (7.05pm).

The Connacht head coach decided not to shuffle his selection despite the 9-13 defeat the same team suffered against the Blues at the Sportsground in Round 1.

Gavin Duffy captains the side from fullback with Tiernan O’Halloran and Fetu’u Vainikolo completing the back three.

In midfield Mata Fifita and Eoin Griffin resume their centre partnership alongside the preferred half-back combination of Miah Nikora and Kieran Marmion.

Ethienne Reynecke starts at hooker and will keep company with Denis Buckley and Ronan Loughney in the front row. The experienced duo of Michael Swift and Mike McCarthy complete the front five.

There is no shortage of experience in the back row either where number eight George Naoupu is flanked by John Muldoon and Johnny O’Connor.

Elwood has made two changes on the bench with Nathan White taking the place of Finlay Bealham and Frank Murphy stepping in for Dave Moore.

Zebre will be looking to get their season back on track after losing 37-6 in their first PRO12 outing against the Dragons.

Connacht (v Zebre): G Duffy ©; T O’Halloran, E Griffin, M Fifita, F Vainikolo; M Nikora, K Marmion; D Buckley, E Reynecke, R Loughney; M Swift, M McCarthy; J Muldoon, J O’Connor, G Naoupu.

Replacements: A Flavin, R Ah You, N White, D Gannon, W Faloon, F Murphy, M Jarvis, R Henshaw.