URC: Connacht vs Benetton, Comunale’s Stadio Monigo, Saturday, 1pm Irish time – Live on TG4 and Premier Sports /
Connacht’s team, led by Coach Pete Wilkins, are looking to swiftly improve on last weekend’s less than stellar performance against a 14-man Lions team. Their road towards recovery will be tested profoundly as they journey towards Treviso to contend with the strong Benetton, a team instrumental to Italy’s most successful Six Nations tournament.
Seven changes have been made by Wilkins to his team selection, with the likes of Jordan Duggan, Dave Heffernan, Shamus Hurley-Langton and Paul Boyle getting the nod on the pack, comprising four among the seven changes. Caolin Blade, unable to play due to an injury coupled with JJ Hanrahan adhering to return-to-play protocols, makes space for Michael McDonald and Jack Carty to form a fresh halfback pairing.
Included in the squad after recovery from injury is Diarmuid Kilgallen together with promoted replacements Eoin de Buitléar, Jarrad Butler, Shane Jennings and Shayne Bolton. Notably omitted are Irish internationals Bundee Aki and Finlay Bealham.
Wilkins stated “[This] match holds huge significance for both Connacht and Benetton. The URC table currently displays minute differences from the fourth to the 11th team and one victory could dramatically change a team’s standing.
Benetton’s squad, complete with notable international quality, are a challenging adversary and our past matches in Treviso have constantly tested us, both mentally and physically.
Not fully satisfied with last week’s performance and result, we now eagerly anticipate this challenge. We’re heading towards Italy brimming with determination and a clear resolve to put forth a strong performance. What is ahead can become a defining moment for our young centre duo, David Hawkshaw and Cathal Forde as they prep to match skills against Tommaso Menoncello and Juan Ignacio Brex. The duo had a notable impact on Italy’s performance in the Six Nations. With their current form, Benetton seems to hold an upper hand, hence an unexpected visiting team’s victory would indeed be a surprise.”/
Benetton’s starting team includes R Smith, I Mendy, T Menoncello, I Brex, O Ratave, J Umaga, A Garbisi, T Gallo, G Nicotera, G Zilocchi, N Cannone, E Snyman, A Izekor, M Lamaro, and T Halafihi. The captain is E Snyman. If required, replacements are B Bernasconi, M Spagnolo, T Pasquali, F Ruzza, L Cannone, A Uren, T Albornoz, and M Fekitoa.
On the Connacht side, the starters are T O’Halloran, D Kilgallen, D Hawkshaw, C Forde, A Smith, J Carty, M McDonald, J Duggan, D Heffernan, J Aungier, N Murray, J Joyce, C Prendergast, S Hurley-Langton, and P Boyle. The team’s captain is J Carty, and possible replacements include E de Buitléar, D Buckley, S Illo, D Murray, J Butler, C Reilly, S Jennings, and S Bolton.
The referee for the contest is M Ferreira, who hails from South Africa.