With a 100 per cent record against Zebre in all competitions this season, Connacht head into their match in Italy with the tag of favourites but head coach Pat Lam knows their opponents cannot afford to be taken lightly.

The RaboDirect PRO12 season opened with the two sides going head to head in round one, with Connacht victorious 25-16 before two further successes in the European Cup followed either side of Christmas.

It extends Connacht’s unbeaten run against their opponents to seven in all competitions ahead of Sunday’s meeting in Italy.

The side have not had things all their own way in general recently however with last Saturday’s 11-7 victory over Edinburgh ending a three-game losing streak in the RaboDirectPRO12 while they have yet to win away from home in the league this season.

Looking to swiftly change that last stat, Lam has made three changes to the side with fullback Darragh Leader promoted from the bench for his fifth start of the season.

Dan Parks replaces injured Craig Ronaldson at outhalf with the former Scottish international named in an otherwise all-Irish qualified Connacht team.

The only change in the pack comes with Academy forward Eoghan Masterson coming in at openside flanker for his second senior cap.

Fellow Academy member and prop Final Bealham makes the bench alongside veteran outhalf Miah Nikora on his return from injury with Lam particularly excited to see how his younger players fare.

“With injuries from last week, we’ve been forced to make some frontline changes but again it’s a brilliant opportunity for our young Academy players Darragh Leader, Eoghan Masterson and Finlay Bealham to step up and make their mark,” he said.

“There is a real mixture of youth and experience in this Connacht side but it’s also pleasing that we can name 20 Irish qualified players in a squad of 23.

“There was definitely a sense of relief to get the win against Edinburgh last week but we have set targets for this block of games and we go to Italy with our own expectations on how we play this game and force the outcome.

“Having played Zebre so frequently, and with three wins from three this season, the pressure is on us to deliver again. But we can’t underestimate Zebre. They have always threatened us and they will be targeting this game just as much as we are.

“It’s up to us now to get the job done this weekend and push up that table.”

Zebre, currently bottom of the table, will be looking to add to the single victory they have managed at home this season, against Benetton Treviso on January 4.

They have however been defeated in all 18 previous encounters with Irish provinces in all competitions and will not be helped by the absence of a number of key players.

Ten players are currently away on international duty with Italy although there is still plenty of experience in the backs with former All Black Brendon Leonard, Fijian centre Kameli Ratuvou and winger Giovanbattista Venditti picked to start.

Troy Nathan comes at fly-half for his debut while experienced prop Salvatore Perugini also returns with flanker Andries Van Schalkwyk taking the captain’s armband.

At Stadio XXV Aprile, 5.30pm local time (4.30pm Ireland & UK) Live on Mediaset

Referee: Ian Davies (WRU, 14th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Giuseppe Vivarini, Elia Rizzo (both FIR)
Citing Commissioner: Roberto Carra (FIR)
TMO: Alan Falzone (FIR)