Connacht head coach Pat Lam is looking forward to his side’s first home game in six weeks as he makes two changes for Benetton Treviso’s GUINNESS PRO12 visit on Sunday.

The Irishmen have not tasted victory in their last two games at the Sportsground, losing to Edinburgh and Exeter Chiefs but won last time out, 30-25 at Newport Gwent Dragons.

Eleventh-placed Treviso have won three of their last five GUINNESS PRO12 games but have not won outside of Italy since beating the Scarlets in May 2013 and have not won in Ireland since December 2011.

Connacht have lost only one of the last five fixtures between the two teams but Lam is wary of the trouble Treviso have caused teams in recent games.

"Treviso showed last week how dangerous they are with their impressive five-try win over Cardiff Blues,” he said.

“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."

Full-back Tiernan O’Halloran comes into the side to earn his first start of the season while Niyi Adeolokun starts on the wing, Danie Poolman shifts to the centres and Craig Ronaldson moves to fly-half.

Jack Carty drops to the bench, as does Rodney Ah You, who makes way for Nathan White.

Treviso head coach Umberto Casellato has also made changes to the team who won 40-24 against Cardiff Blues last weekend as hooker Davide Giazzon is named as captain for the first time.

Angelo Esposito picked up a shoulder injury in that match which rules him out, while Enrico Bacchin has been called up to the national team.

Consequently, Andrea Pratichetti moves to outside centre, while Ludovico Nitoglia and Henry Seniloli start on the wings.

Nicola Cattina comes in to start at flanker, with Tomas Vallejos and Meyer Swanepoel making up the second row.

And Paul Derbyshire continues his rehabilitation from the injury he picked up in a pre-season game last summer as he is named among the replacements.

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At Sportsground, 5.15pm Live on TG4/Nuvolari
Referee: Andrew McMenemy (SRU, 35th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Mark Connolly, Ken Imbusch (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Eugene Ryan (IRFU)
TMO: Dermot Moloney (IRFU)