Connacht’s battle to finish in the top half of the GUINNESS PRO12 continues on Sunday evening, as they look to win for the first time in three outings at the Sportsground.
GUINNESS PRO12: Sunday, March 1
CONNACHT (6th) v BENETTON TREVISO (11th), the Sportsground, 5.15pm (live TG4/deferred coverage Nuvolari TV)
Team News: Connacht head coach Pat Lam has made two personnel changes to the team that will host Benetton Treviso at the Sportsground on Sunday.
Galway man Tiernan O’Halloran, who celebrated his 24th birthday yesterday, will earn his first start of the season, lining out at full-back. With Niyi Adeolokun named on the right wing, top try scorer Danie Poolman moves to outside centre and Craig Ronaldson shifts to out-half.
There are no changes to the pack from the side originally selected to face the Dragons, with Nathan White set to start at tighthead prop after his late withdrawal in Newport. Academy back rower Eoghan Masterson, who was a try scorer against the Welsh region, is retained at number 8.
Ronan Loughney has returned from injury to take his place on the bench, while fellow Galway native Conor Finn has been named among the replacement backs.
Meanwhile, Benetton Treviso boss Umberto Casellato has again been forced into changes due to injuries and Italy’s Six Nations encounter with Scotland.
After his shoulder injury in last week’s 40-24 bonus point victory over Cardiff Blues, Angelo Esposito is ruled out, while Enrico Bacchin has been called up to the Italy squad.
Andrea Pratichetti moves to outside centre, with Ludovico Nitoglia and Fijian Henry Seniloli taking over on the wings from Esposito and Simone Ragusi.
Up front, Nicola Cattina slots in at blindside flanker and Tomas Vallejos and Meyer Swanepoel combine in the second row in place of Antonio Pavanello and Marco Fuser. Hooker Davide Giazzon will captain Treviso for the first time.
Italian international Paul Derbyshire makes a welcome return from injury on the bench – he has been sidelined since a pre-season friendly game against Petrarca. The listed replacements also include two permit players, Alberto Saccardo from Mogliano and Rovigo’s Francesco Menon.
CONNACHT: Tiernan O’Halloran; Niyi Adeolokun, Danie Poolman, Dave McSharry, Matt Healy; Craig Ronaldson, John Cooney; Denis Buckley, Tom McCartney, Nathan White, Quinn Roux, Aly Muldowney, John Muldoon (capt), Jake Heenan, Eoghan Masterson.
Replacements: Shane Delahunt, Ronan Loughney, Rodney Ah You, Michael Kearney, George Naoupu, Ian Porter, Jack Carty, Conor Finn.
BENETTON TREVISO: Jayden Hayward; Henry Seniloli, Andrea Pratichetti, Sam Christie, Ludovico Nitoglia; James Ambrosini, Alberto Lucchese; Matteo Zanusso, Davide Giazzon (capt), Rupert Harden, Tomas Vallejos, Meyer Swanepoel, Nicola Cattina, Dean Budd, Mat Luamanu.
Replacements: Albert Anae, Romulo Acosta, Salesi Manu, Corniel van Zyl, Paul Derbyshire, Alberto Saccardo, Joe Carlisle, Francesco Menon.
Referee: Andrew McMenemy (Scotland)
Assistant Referees: Mark Connolly, Ken Imbusch (both Ireland)
Television Match Official: Dermot Moloney (Ireland)
Match Odds (Paddy Power): Connacht to win: 1/10; Draw: 33/1; Benetton Treviso to win: 5/1
Pre-Match Quotes: Pat Lam (Connacht) – “After two good performances off the bench, Tiernan certainly deserves his start on Sunday. He brought a lot of intensity when introduced in the last two games and his leadership and communication skills are a big asset in a very young back-line.
“Mils (Muliaina) was close to playing this week but we decided not to take the risk and so Niyi gets his opportunity on Sunday.
“Treviso showed last week how dangerous they are with their impressive five-try win over Cardiff Blues. They are always strong up front, but they’ve shown recently how effective they can be moving the ball out wide. We’re going to have to bring it to another level again on Sunday, especially in defence.
“We’re sitting in sixth place at the moment but like last week we still don’t have a safety net, and we have to continue to perform as a team against Treviso.
“It’s been over six weeks since our last home game so everyone is really looking forward to playing in front of our home supporters again at the Sportsground.”
Umberto Casellato (Benetton Treviso) – “All the players are giving their best, and I think the contribution from the bench against Cardiff helped us significantly. The difference in that game compared to others this season was evident.
“When everybody contributes to the performance, we are in a position to compete with teams match after match. We still have three away games to go this season, against Connacht, Munster and Leinster.
“We are really looking to pick up an away win against one of those Irish teams, so we can break a run for this season and grab a win away from Italy.”
Top Scorers – 2014/15 GUINNESS PRO12: Connacht – Points: Jack Carty 48; Tries: Kieran Marmion 3; Benetton Treviso – Points: Jayden Hayward 74; Tries: Francesco Minto 4
RECENT LEAGUE MEETINGS:
Friday, December 2, 2011 – Connacht 13 Benetton Treviso 15, the Sportsground
Saturday, November 3, 2012 – Connacht 18 Benetton Treviso 3, the Sportsground
Friday, April 26, 2013 – Benetton Treviso 23 Connacht 23, Stadio di Monigo
Friday, October 4, 2013 – Benetton Treviso 23 Connacht 3, Stadio di Monigo
Saturday, March 1, 2014 – Connacht 38 Benetton Treviso 6, the Sportsground
Friday, October 10, 2014 – Benetton Treviso 6 Connacht 9, Stadio di Monigo
MATCH FACTS:
– Connacht have remained in sixth place in the GUINNESS PRO12 table since round 7, despite having a record of won 4 and lost 5 in the subsequent rounds
– The westerners have lost their last two games at the Sportsground, to Edinburgh in the PRO12 and Exeter Chiefs in the European Challenge Cup
– Benetton Treviso have won three of their last five PRO12 fixtures but have not won outside of Italy since
a trip to the Scarlets in May 2013, while you have to go back to December 2011 for their most recent victory at an Irish province
– Connacht have lost just one of their last five contests with Treviso: 23-3 at the Stadio di Monigo in October 2013 whereas the Italians’ only previous win in Galway was 15-13 on December 2, 2011
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