Head coach Pat Lam is preparing his Connacht side for a backlash from Zebre as his side travel to Italy for Saturday’s GUINNESS PRO12 clash.

Last time out Zebre suffered their second biggest GUINNESS PRO12 defeat as Leinster ran in eight tries to down the Italian side 52-0 at the RDS Arena.

And the form books suggests another tricky game for Zebre with Connacht boasting the best attack in the GUINNESS PRO12 this term, having scored 36 tries ahead of their trip to Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.

The province have also won their last three matches in all competitions, as well as on their last four trips to Italy, but Lam is not about to get carried away.

"As we head away on one of the longer away trips in the PRO12 schedule, it was great to have some of our Irish boys back from camp to train with us as well as a few guys coming off the injured list,” he said.

"We've been over to play Zebre a fair few times in the last couple of years between PRO12 and Europe and they've always challenged us, particularly up front.

“There's no doubt they will be fired up to make amends for their big defeat to Leinster last week. We've seen what they can do to teams this season, particularly on their home ground, so we will need to be right on top of our game mentally.

"While it's extremely tight at the top end of the table, we are solely focused on the quality of our performance tomorrow to get the points on offer in what will be another tough test on the road."

Lam has made five personnel changes from the starting XV that secured a bonus point victory over Newport Gwent Dragons last time out.

Ireland international Kieran Marmion returns to the backline and links up with AJ MacGinty at half-back.

Wing Niyi Adeolokun will play his tenth game this season in a pacey back three with Tiernan O'Halloran and Connacht's top try scorer this campaign Matt Healy.

Finlay Bealham has also been released from Ireland duty this week to take his place in the front row, having featured in every game for Connacht this season.

Lock Ben Marshall has returned from the arm injury that has kept him sidelined since November to start in the second row alongside Aly Muldowney.

And Galway-born Eoin McKeon is promoted from the bench to wear the No.8 jersey in a back row with Jake Heenan and captain John Muldoon.

Zebre have only ever beaten an Irish province once before, and that was back in September 2014 when Ulster visited them and left having been beaten 13-6.

And as Zebre bid to turn their fortunes around they welcome back four of their 13 Italian internationals for this clash, with prop Dario Chistolini, back rower Dries van Schalkwyk, fly-half Kelly Haimona and centre Giulio Bisegni all starting.

However, they will be without winger Dion Berryman and flanker Jean Cook who miss out through injury.

Meanwhile, Ivan Francescato and Matteo Panunzi – selected two weeks ago for Italy Under-20s – are both ready for their Zebre debuts after being named on the bench.

At Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, 5.30pm local time, (4.30pm Ireland & UK)

Referee: Gary Conway (IRFU, 21st competition game)
Assistant Referees: Giuseppe Vivarini, Simone Boaretto (both FIR)
Citing Commissioner: Alberto Recaldini (FIR)
TMO: Stefano Roscini (FIR)

Live on Rai Sport and TG4