Connacht head coach Pat Lam is hoping to mark Kieran Marmion’s first major milestone at the club by making it three RaboDirect PRO12 wins on the trot.

The Irish outfit have not won three straight league games for exactly 12 months but have the opportunity to end that wait on Saturday, following wins against Edinburgh and Zebre.

They host Treviso at the Sportsground, looking to build on a positive record against Italian clubs – they have lost just one of five meetings in all competitions this season.

And just one Italian side has ever beaten Connacht at the Sportsground, though that was Treviso in December 2011.
The clash will be scrum-half Marmion’s 50th in Connacht colours, having not missed a single game since his debut at the start of last season.

Robbie Henshaw takes his place at full-back after being released from the Ireland squad, while Aly Muldowney comes in to partner Mick Kearney in the second row.

Eoin McKeon makes his return from injury, slotting in at No.8, and he is joined in the back row by Eoghan Masterson and captain John Muldoon.

Lam is hoping to see his side carry their momentum into the clash and capitalise on a opportunity to pick up another win.

"It's such a great achievement for young Kieran to have reached the 50 cap milestone,” he said.

“The fact that he has played 50 consecutive games since his senior debut is testament to his ability, his durability and his sheer toughness.

"With another six-day turnaround this week it's important to have fresh legs available in Robbie (Henshaw) and players like Eoin (McKeon) coming back from injury.

"Denis (Buckley) and Rodney (Ah You) both put in man of the match performances in the last three games and they deservedly retain their starting spots this week. But it's great to be able to call on the experience of Nathan (White) from the bench.

"Aly (Muldowney) has been training and playing very well these last few weeks and he deserves his chance to start against Treviso.”

Treviso have won just once in the PRO12 since round five – and 20-15 victory at home to Zebre in December – and have not won on the road in the tournament this season.

However, their record against Connacht is encouraging, having won three of their seven meetings and drawn one.

And head coach Marius Goosen welcomes a host of Italy internationals back into his side – including captain Antonio Pavanello, who takes his place in the second row.

Paul Derbyshire and Manoa Vosawai start on the flanks, Lorenzo Cittadini takes the No.3 shirt and Angelo Esposito and Alberto Sgarbi feature at full-back and outside centre respectively.

Scrum-half Tobias Botes is also available, while Goosen has installed a permit player – Joe Van Niekerk – at inside centre.

At Sportsground, 5pm
Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU, 36th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Leo Colgan, Will O’Connor (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Eddie Walsh (IRFU)

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