Connacht name side to meet Zebre
Rugby:Dan Parks returns to the Connacht starting line-up for tomorrow night’s final Heineken Cup pool match against Zebre. Although the match is effectively a dead rubber, with neither side even able to make it through the Amlin Challenge Cup, Eric Elwood has named a strong side as the province seek to round off their campaign with a third win.
Having already accounted for Zebre away, not to mention the memorable scalp of Biarritz at home, Connacht will be aiming for a third win in this year’s competition at the Sportsground tomorrow night (kick-off 8pm). Parks is the only change in the Connacht backline while Brett Wilkinson returns at loosehead prop and Mick Kearney comes into a new-look back row.Robbie Henshaw and Dave McSharry will be hoping for big performances after being named in the Ireland training squad for the Six Nations earlier today. Both are in line to feature for the Irish Wolfhounds against the England Saxons tomorrow week.
Connacht:Robbie Henshaw; Tiernan O'Halloran, Eoin Griffin, David McSharry, Fetu'u Vainikolo; Dan Parks, Kieran Marmion; Brett Wilkinson, Jason Harris-Wright, Nathan White (c); Michael Swift, Mike McCarthy; Michael Kearney, Johnny O'Connor, Andrew Browne. Replacements:Ethienne Reynecke, James Cooney, Ronan Loughney, David Gannon, Eoghan Grace, Paul O'Donohoe, Miah Nikora, Danie Poolman.
Zebre:Tito Tebaldi; Giovanbattista Venditti, Roberto Quartaroli, Matteo Pratichetti, Ruggero Trevisan; Daniel Halangahu, Alberto Chillon; Salvatore Perugini, Davide Giazzon, Luca Redolfini; Micheal van Vuuren, Josh Sole; Emiliano Caffini, Mauro Bergamasco (c), Filippo Ferrarini. Replacements:Carlo Festuccia, Matias Aguero, Dave Ryan, Nicola Belardo, Andrea Manici, Luca Martinelli, Alberto Chiesa, Samuele Pace.
