Zebre and Munster will renew their Guinness PRO14 campaigns this weekend as the Irish province head to the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi at 2.30pm in Parma.

What’s at stake?

This will be Munster head coach Johann van Graan’s first taste of Guinness PRO14 action, and he will be desperate to get off to a winning start.

Munster currently sit second in Conference A but are eight points off Glasgow Warriors and have lost two of their last three matches in the league.

As for Zebre, following their stunning victory over Ulster in Round Five, the Italian outfit have suffered three defeats in a row and will be looking to make home advantage count against the Irish province.

Team news (Zebre): The Italian side has welcome news on the injury front with Italian international Maxime Mbanda returning to the squad for his first cap of the season along with scrum-half Riccardo Raffaele.

Andrea De Marchi is poised to make his 100^th Guinness PRO14 appearance if he comes off the bench.

Team news (Munster): Two changes have been made from the Munster side that defeated Dragons 49-6 at Irish Independent Park last time out.

James Hart, who moved from Racing 92 in the summer, will make his first start for Munster at scrum-half in place of the injured Duncan Williams. Sam Arnold is also promoted to the starting XV in place of Chris Farrell who is on international duty.

Talking points: Munster’s new head coach Johann van Graan cannot wait to see his side in action for the very first time this weekend after replacing Rassie Erasmus.

“When I walked through those doors you can taste winning,” van Graan said.

“I’ve been to spots like the New England Patriots, the Westpoint Academy, just north of New York, and places like Racing Metro; this ranks up there among the best in the world.

“I’m very fortunate to be a part of this and this is not all about me. It’s about Munster Rugby, the people working here and the people who have been here before.”

Key Battle: Giulio Bisengi v Darren Sweetnam

Darren Sweetnam will be coming back to Munster bursting with confident following his international outing with Ireland against Fiji.

The wing scored his first international try in the 23-20 victory in Dublin and will be looking to bring that form into the match against Zebre.

With a number of Zebre players on international duty, Giulio Bisegni could hold the key to success for the Italians this weekend.

Bisegni impressed during his side’s last victory in the Guinness PRO14, a thrilling 27-23 triumph over Ulster, making 49 metres and might have to do the same again if Zebre are to notch up their third win of the season.

Key stat: No player won more turnovers in Round Eight than Zebre’s Derick Minnie (3), in his side’s 37-8 loss to the Cardiff Blues.

Did you know?

Zebre have won their last two matches against Irish provinces, having also beaten Connacht in April – doubling their previous tally of successes against Irish opponents.

Zebre: C Gaffney, P Bruno, G Bisegni, F Afamasaga, G D’Onofrio, M Azzolini, G Palazzani, C Ah-Nau, L Luus, E Bello, J Tucker, L Krumov, J Sarto, J Meyer, D Minnie

Replacements: O Fabiani, A De Marchi, R Tenga, D Fragnito, M Mbanda, R Raffaele, M Pratichetti, V Bernabo

Munster: S Zebo; D Sweetnam, S Arnold, R Scannell, A Wootton; JJ Hanrahan, J Hart; L O’Connor, R Marshall, S Archer; J Kleyn, B Holland; J O’Donoghue, C Cloete, R Copeland

Replacements: K O’Byrne, B Scott, C Parker, D O’Shea, S O’Connor, J Stafford, B Johnston, C Nash

TV: Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Sky Sports, 2.30pm (local time)

Match officials – Referee: Lloyd Linton (SRU) AR1: Keith Allen (SRU) AR2: Vincenzo Scipani (FIR) TMO: Neil Paterson (SRU)

Guinness PRO14 Final 2018 Ticket Information: Fans can save up to 20% on selected tickets, and prices start at just €30 for adults and €5 for children, and can be booked via www.ticketmaster.ie