NEWS:TOMORROW NIGHT Connacht will make a little bit of history when they become the first team to visit the RaboDirect Pro 12's newest franchise, Zebre, at the Stadio XXV Aprile in Parma. The Irish province will be hoping not to make it too auspicious an occasion for their hosts.
Connacht’s season got off to a disappointing start last weekend as much for the manner of the defeat to the Cardiff Blues as to the loss itself. It was a point addressed by coach Eric Elwood as he reflected on a disappointing performance. “It’s disappointing in a home game, dominating a lot of the territory and possession, to come away with only a losing bonus; it is not really acceptable in a game we would have targeted.
“We had plenty of possession but could not hold onto the ball. That high level of turnovers was one of two major elements that let us down. The second was our kick-chase game; that should have been better in order to exert pressure.”
Tomorrow night’s match is another which the province will have targeted. Zebre were spanked last week by the Dragons at Rodney Parade and while they’ll be a tougher prospect at home, it’s hardly an insurmountable obstacle.
Zebre’s French coach Christian Gajan has made four changes to the starting line-up. The 21-year-old Alberto Benettin will make his debut at second centre for the injured Roberto Quartaroli, while Emerging Italy scrumhalf Alberto Chillon wins his first start in place of international Tito Tebaldi. There are alterations in the pack, the most eye-catching the return after injury of Mauro Bergamasco, the presence of former Munster prop Dave Ryan and the positioning of Test flanker Josh Sole in the secondrow.
ZEBRE(v Connacht): S Sinoti; G Venditti, A Benettin, G Garcia (capt), S Pace; L Orquera, A Chillon; S Perugini, C Festuccia, D Ryan; Q Geldenhuys, J Sole; F Cristiano, M Bergamsco, A van Schalkwyk. Replacements: D Giazzon, A de Marchi, L Redolfini, E Caffini, N Belardo, T Tebaldi, A Chiesa, R Trevisan.
