Connacht head coach Pat Lam insists it is time they made the Sportsground a fortress in the GUINNESS PRO12, starting with his side’s clash with Zebre on Friday night.

Connacht’s three games so far in the GUINNESS PRO12 this season have all been won by the home side on the day, whilst the Irish province claimed two league points in their only defeat at Glasgow in round 2.

The Irishmen are attempting to win a third straight home game for the first time since the turn of the year and they have never lost to Zebre in ten previous meetings.

And Lam is adamant his side must continue their strong start as the league returns with a vengeance now that the World Cup quarter-finals have arrived.

“It’s good to be kick starting this 16-game run with a home game in front of our supporters. Protecting our home ground is really important to us and tomorrow’s game with Zebre is another must-win.

“We have a lot of respect for Zebre who we’ve played a good few times over the past few seasons and each time we’ve played them, we’ve had to work collectively as a team for our wins.

“They have definitely regrouped after a big loss in the opening week and Scarlets and Dragons just got home against them so we expect a tough battle tomorrow.”

Lam’s side show just one change from the team that started against Cardiff Blues two weeks ago.

Tighthead prop Rodney Ah You returns to the fray after missing out on the last round with a minor injury. He joins Denis Buckley and hooker Tom McCartney in the front row.

The back line remains unchanged with wing Matt Healy set to make his 50th appearance in a Connacht jersey.
Zebre have lost their last nine GUINNESS PRO12 encounters and have not obtained a league point since last season’s round 19 defeat at home to Scarlets.

The Italians’ only previous victory over an Irish province came when they defeated Ulster 13-6 in Parma in September 2014.

But Zebre’s 11 World Cup stars have returned to the club and hooker Andrea Manici and lock Valerio Bernabo come straight into the starting line-up.

And team manager Andrea de Rossi is aware of the threat that Connacht bring.

“We approach one of the hardest games of the tournament against an opponent which is always difficult to face, especially in their home stadium,” he said.

“Connacht are a very physical team that display a solid gameplan. It will be an additional opportunity to growth for our team after a very good week of preparation held in Parma.”

At Sportsground, 7.30pm.
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU, 10th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Stuart Gaffikin, Stuart Douglas (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Wayne Sheridan (IRFU)