Ciarán Frawley will make his Connacht debut tomorrow evening when Stuart Lancaster’s side takes on Benetton in Treviso in the BKT United Rugby Championship.
Frawley starts at out-half for the 7.45 kick-off, while Cian Prendergast captains the team from the flank.
Player of the year Sean Jansen starts at number eight, with Darragh Murray in the second row.
There are two other changes from last week’s defeat to the Stormers, with Matthew Victory making his first Connacht start at hooker and Caolin Blade coming in at scrum-half.
Sam Illo is named among the replacements and is set to make his 50th appearance for Connacht.
The rest of the backline is unchanged, with Mack Hansen and Finn Treacy on the wings, Cathal Forde and John Devine in the centre, and Sam Gilbert at full-back.
The team in full for the clash at Stadio Monigo
Starting XV
- Francois van Wyk
- Matthew Victory
- Finlay Bealham
- Darragh Murray
- Josh Murphy
- Cian Prendergast (C)
- Seán O’Brien
- Sean Jansen
- Caolin Blade
- Ciarán Frawley
- Mack Hansen
- Cathal Forde
- John Devine
- Finn Treacy
- Sam Gilbert
Replacements
- Eoin de Buitléar
- Billy Bohan
- Sam Illo
- Niall Murray
- Paul Boyle
- Colm Reilly
- Josh Ioane
- Shane Jennings
