Rugby:Newly appointed Connacht captain Gavin Duffy will lead a strong side out against Benetton Treviso on Saturday (2pm).
The fullback will be joined in the back three by Ulsterman Mark McCrea and Ireland under-20 Tiernan O’Halloran, while Henry Fa’aili and Eoin Griffin form the centre partnership.
Former Ospreys outhalf Matthew Jarvis and scrumhalf Frank Murphy will continue their partnership after playing together in the friendly defeat to Saracens last week,
Up front, there is plenty of experience, with four centurions – Adrian Flavin, Mike McCarthy, John Muldoon and Michael Swift – included, Swift, in fact, is closing in on his 200th cap.
Ronan Loughney and Ray Ofisa, with 80 and 89 caps respectively, provide plenty more experience with George Naoupu and Rodney Ah You completing the firepower of the forwards.
Benetton Treviso:L Nitoglia; M Sepe, K Burton, A Pratichetti, B Williams; W De Waal, A Chillon; M Rizzo, F Sbaraglini, A Allori; A Pavanello (capt), V Berabo; M Fillipucci, F Minto, M Vosawi. Replacements: D Vidal, M Muccignat, P Di Santo, G Padrò, B Vermaak, S Picone, A Di Bernardo, B De Jager.
Connacht:G Duffy (capt); M McCrea, E Griffin, H Fa'afili, T O'Halloran; M Jarvis, F Murphy; R Loughney, A Flavin, R Ah You; M Swift, M McCarthy; J Muldoon, R Ofisa, G Naoupu. Replacements: E Reynecke, D Buckley, D Rogers, TJ Anderson, J O'Connor, P O'Donohoe, N O'Connor, B Tuohy.
Referee: D Phillips (IRFU)
