Robbie Henshaw, who was on international duty last week, is named at Full Back for his 21st Connacht appearance.
27-year-old Brian Murphy, who made his Connacht debut in Cardiff last week, will start again at Inside Centre, in a partnership with fellow Galway native Eoin Griffin.
Skipper Gavin Duffy is named on the wing, replacing Fetu'u Vainikolo who moves to the bench.
Dan Parks was forced to withdraw late from last week's fixture with a hamstring injury. He returns to Out Half duties tomorrow night.
Meanwhile, there is just one change up front with Mick Kearney replacing Michael Swift in the second row. Swift sustained a knee injury during training earlier in the week. Connacht's highest capped player is waiting on scan results to determine the severity of the injury.
Recent returnee from injury George Naoupu is named on the bench.
Connacht XV
15. Robbie Henshaw
14. Danie Poolman
13. Eoin Griffin
12. Brian Murphy
11. Gavin Duffy (captain)
10. Dan Parks
9. Kieran Marmion
1. Brett Wilkinson
2. Jason Harris-Wright
3. Nathan White
4. Mick Kearney
5. Andrew Browne
6. John Muldoon
7. Willie Faloon
8. Eoin McKeon
Replacements: Adrian Flavin, Denis Buckley, Ronan Loughney, TJ Anderson, George Naoupu, Paul O'Donohoe, Miah Nikora, Fetu'u Vainikolo
Unavailable due to injury: Dave McSharry, Mike McCarthy, Frank Murphy, Dave Nolan, Johnny O'Connor, Tiernan O'Halloran, Michael Swift and Kyle Tonetti
Connacht v Zebre
Friday, 1st March The Sportsground, kick off 7.45pm
Referee: Neil Hennessy (WRU, 14th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Michael Black, Ed Kenny (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Tom McCormack (IRFU)
TMO: Kevin Beggs (IRFU)
Connacht have won three of their last four games in the RaboDirect PRO12, whilst the Irishmen have been victorious in their last three fixtures at the Sportsground in all competitions. Connacht have won their last five matches against Italian opponents in all tournaments.
Zebre recorded their second loss by the narrowest of margins in being defeated 13-14 by Newport Gwent Dragons in Parma on Sunday - it was the fifth occasion in the PRO12 that Zebre have been leading inside the final quarter of a game only to eventually lose the match.
The two sides have met on three occasions this season - once in the RaboDirect PRO12 and twice in the European Cup - with Connacht victorious every time. Zebre lost 20-25 on their only previous visit to the Sportsground on January 18th.
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