Zebre Team Announcement for Galway Game v Connach

The "white & black striped" lost 25-20 at the end of the game due to a great kicking performance from Connacht fly-half Dan Parks. 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 and Zebre still growing in their performances in front of the same opponent.

There are several changes with respect to last Sunday game in Parma when Zebre lost by the narrowest of margins 13-14 to the Dragons after being 13-3 at the 50th minute thanks to a Pratichetti try and Chillon kicks. The two are confirmed in the starting line-up; the same for the back triangle composed by Benettin at full-back and the two wingers Sarto and Sinoti. Among the backs the to new selections are the two Italian internationals : Buso at fly-half and Garcia at center.

In the pack the Irish prop Ryan will start in a first row forward line completed by the hooker Manici and the other prop De Marchi. Second rower Van Vuren is ruled out due to an injury occurred against Dragons and his place is taken by Sole who will pair with Italian skipper Bortolami. The back sees the return of Bergamasco who will play alongside number 8 Van Schalkwyk. On the other side the blindside flanker will be Ferrarini, man of the match last Sunday in Parma against the Dragons.

Here's Zebre Rugby line-up for Friday night game at the Galway Sportsground facing Connacht in the 17th Round of the RaboDirect PRO12 :

15 Alberto BENETTIN*
14 Leonardo SARTO*
13 Matteo PRATICHETTI
12 Gonzalo GARCIA
11 Sinoti SINOTI
10 Paolo BUSO
9 Alberto CHILLON*

8 Andries VAN SCHALKWYK
7 Mauro BERGAMASCO
6 Filippo FERRARINI*
5 Marco BORTOLAMI
4 Josh SOLE
3 David RYAN
2 Andrea MANICI*
1 Andrea DE MARCHI

Replacements :
16 Carlo FESTUCCIA
17 Matias AGUERO
18 Luciano LEIBSON
19 Emiliano CAFFINI*
20 Nicola BELARDO*
21 Guglielmo PALAZZANI
22 Alberto CHIESA*
23 Samuele PACE

Coach. Christian GAJAN

* Former member of the Italian Rugby Union academy "Ivan Francescato" of Tirrenia.

Not available for selection through injury : Nicola CATTINA, Filippo CAZZOLA*, Daniel HALANGAHU, Michael VAN VUREN.

Referee: Neil Hennessy (WRU, 14th competition game) the 2nd with Zebre after the Ospreys away game in Swansea.
Assistant Referees: Michael Black, Ed Kenny (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Tom McCormack (IRFU)
TMO: Kevin Beggs (IRFU)
Live on TG4 in Ireland.