Benetton Rugby’s trip to Connacht presents a meeting of two Guinness PRO14 play-off chasers with the Italians sitting second in Conference B and the Irishmen equal third in Conference A. What’s at stake? Both sides will be keen to maintain their position in their respective Conferences with the chasing packs close behind. Ulster are just a point behind Benetton while Scarlets are currently five back meaning that defeat could prove costly for Kieran Crowley’s men. Meanwhile Cardiff Blues are level with Connacht, making a win imperative if they are to ensure that they stay in the hunt for a play-off spot. Team news (Connacht) Jack Carty, Kieran Marmion and Ultan Dillane all return from Guinness Six Nations duty to bolster the Connacht ranks. Carty and Marmion will start on the bench, as Caolin Blade and Kyle Godwin are named as the starting half-back partnership. Dillane’s inclusion sees him named in a second row alongside James Cannon, with Gavin Thornbury returning from injury to take his place on the bench. In the front row, props Denis Buckley and Finlay Bealham are selected with Shane Delahunt at hooker. The back row has a familiar look to it with captain Jarrad Butler at number 8 and Eoin McKeon and Colby Fainga’a at blindside and openside respectively. Teams news (Benetton) Full-back for Benetton will be Luca Sperandio, on the wings Ratuva Tavuyara and Monty Ioane. Tommaso Benvenuti and captain Alberto Sgarbi will be the centres. The half backs are Dewaldt Duvenage at scrum half and captain Ian McKinley at fly-half. The front row will consist of Nicola Quaglio, Hame Faiva and Marco Riccioni. Locks will be Irné Herbst and Alessandro Zanni and the back row sees Marco Lazzaroni, Giovanni Pettinelli and Toa Halafihi combine. Talking points: Connacht head coach Andy Friend said: “Benetton have been great all year. I’m not surprised they’re sitting in second spot. “They’re playing a physical yet attractive brand of rugby. They’ve got a lot of quality players, so we are preparing for a top side coming to the Sportsground. “We are in a similar situation, they are sitting second in their conference and we are third in ours so both teams will be looking for a win.” Key battle – Tom Farrell vs Tommaso Benvenuti Both men were picked in the wider Guinness Six Nations this year for their respective countries. But Benvenuti made just one appearance off the bench for Italy while Farrell missed out altogether for Ireland. So both will be keen to show their international coaches what they missed out on. The two centres will be looking to exploit space and carry the fight in midfield as the Guinness PRO14 resumes. Key fact Connacht’s last four matches in the Guinness PRO14 have all been won by the home side on the day whilst their only defeat at The Sportsground in any competition since September was 24-31 to Munster in January. Did you know? The Italians have won only once against an Irish opponent since April 2016, 17-15 against Leinster at the RDS Arena in round 20 last year. Connacht: Tiernan O’Halloran, Darragh Leader, Tom Farrell, Peter Robb, Matt Healy, Kyle Godwin, Caolin Blade, Denis Buckley, Shane Delahunt, Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, James Cannon, Eoin McKeon, Colby Fainga’a, Jarrad Butler ©. Replacements: Tom McCartney, Peter McCabe, Conor Carey, Gavin Thornbury, Eoghan Masterson, Kieran Marmion, Jack Carty, Stephen Fitzgerald. Benetton: Luca Sperandio, Ratuva Tavuyara, Tommaso Benvenuti, Alberto Sgarbi ©, Monty Ioane, Ian McKinley ©, Dewaldt Duvenage, Toa Halafihi, Giovanni Pettinelli, Marco Lazzaroni, Alessandro Zanni, Irné Herbst, Marco Riccioni, Hame Faiva, Nicola Quaglio. Substitutes: Tomas Baravalle, Derrick Appiah, Tiziano Pasquali, Marco Barbini, Robert Barbieri, Giorgio Bronzini, Antonio Rizzi, Tommaso Iannone At: The Sportsground, Galway, 7.35pm. Referee: Mike Adamson Assistant Referees: Sam Grove-White, Graeme Ormiston TMO: Andrew McMenemy
