Connacht v Treviso: Team news

Jack Carty: Named on the bench against Treviso

Pat Lam has made two changes to his Connacht side that faces Benetton Treviso at the Sportsground on Sunday.

Local boy Tiernan O’Halloran gets his first start of the season as he gets the nod in the No 15 jersey. Niyi Adeolokun has been named on the right wing to make room for try-scoring star Danie Poolman, who moves into the outside centre role. Craig Ronaldson will start the game at fly-half.

There are no changes to the pack that was named last week with Nathan White set to start at tighthead after a late withdrawal against Dragons last week. Academy back and last week’s try scorer Eoghan Masterson is recalled at No 8.

Ronan Loughney has returned from injury to take his place on the bench where he is joined by Conor Finn as well as Jack Carty.

Commenting on the team selection and upcoming game, head coach Pat Lam said:

“After two good performances off the bench, Tiernan (O’Halloran) 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 (Adeolokun) 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.”

Meanwhile Treviso have named hooker Davide Giazzon as captain of the team for the first time. The other big news is the return of Paul Derbyshire, who could well make his season debut after his long-term injury suffered in a friendly. He takes his place on the bench alongside South African Corniel van Zyl.

Connacht: 15 Tiernan O’Halloran, 14 Niyi Adeolokun, 13 Danie Poolman, 12 Dave McSharry, 11 Matt Healy, 10 Craig Ronaldson, 9 John Cooney, 1 Denis Buckley, 2 Tom McCartney, 3 Nathan White, 4 Quinn Roux, 5 Aly Muldowney, 6 John Muldoon (c), 7 Jake Heenan, 8 Eoghan Masterson.

Replacements: 16 Shane Delahunt, 17 Ronan Loughney, 18 Rodney Ah You, 19 Mick Kearney, 20 George Naoupu, 21 Ian Porter, 22 Jack Carty, 23 Conor Finn.

Treviso: 15 Jayden Hayward, 14 Henry Seniloli, 13 Andrea Pratichetti, 12 Sam Christie, 11 Ludovico Nitoglia, 10 James Ambrosini, 9 Alberto Lucchese, 1 Matteo Zanusso, 2 Davide Giazzon (c), 3 Rupert Harden, 4 Tomas Vallejos, 5 Meyer Swanepoel, 6 Nicola Cattina, 7 Dean Budd, 8 Mat Luamanu.

Replacements: 16 Albert Anae, 17 Romulo Acosta, 18 Salesi Manu, 19 Corniel Van Zyl, 20 Paul Derbyshire, 21 Alberto Saccardo, 22 Joe Carlisle, 23 Francesco Menon.