If Connacht beat Treviso on Friday it will be first time they have recorded five consecutive domestic victories in a row since 2002 – but Pat Lam says that feat will not come easy..

Connacht are one of the stories of this year’s GUINNESS PRO12, not only because of their five wins from six but for the manner in which they have played.

Lam’s men have scored a league-leading 20 tries so far and they only become more dangerous this weekend after welcoming Ireland star Robbie Henshaw back into the starting line-up.

Henshaw, in his first Connacht appearance since the Rugby World Cup, will slot in at full-back with Tiernan O’Halloran shifting to the right wing.

Scrum-half John Cooney comes in for his second start of the season and in the pack, Dave Heffernan and Ireland international Nathan White are introduced to the front row.

Ultan Dillane comes in to partner Andrew Browne, playing his 100th PRO12 game, in the second row.

Galway man Eoin McKeon returns to the back row and from the bench, USA international outhalf AJ MacGinty could make his first appearance for the club.

And Lam said: "We've made a few changes this week, with Robbie and Nathan back for us but also some guys returning from injury.

“This is only game four of the 16-game run so it's a long way to go and we're going to need players feeling as fresh as possible each week.

"Robbie will start in the 15 shirt for us where he has a lot of experience from his earlier days at Connacht.

Obviously Tiernan has done a great job for us at fullback since the start of the season but his move to wing for this game means we can keep that continuity in our centre partnership for this week.

"We always have tough, physical battles when it comes to Treviso and we've always had to work hard against them. They have the ability to pile on the pressure and it's up to us to counter that by being disciplined to stay in our systems and structures.”

Treviso are still on the search for a win – their last in the GUINNESS PRO12 came 13 rounds ago, over the Cardiff Blues in February.

The Italians have not beaten an Irish opponent since October 2013 though that did come against Connacht.

They are still a tough nut to crack however, having secured four losing bonus points from six this year, but Lam is intent on heading into the European break on a high.

"We're delighted to be at home again,” Lam added. We want to sign off this block of PRO12 games with another win at the Sportsground."

At Sportsground, 7.30pm.
Referee: Ian Davies (WRU, 37th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Kieran Barry, Ken Imbush (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Gordon Black (IRFU)