Connacht team to face Zebre

Centre Bundee Aki will make his home debut and is one of only two players retained in the back line with Matt Healy kept on the left wing.

Outhalf Miah Nikora has been handed his first start of the season and is partnered by scrum half Ian Porter while Dave McSharry makes up the midfield pairing with Aki. 25-year-old Danie Poolman is recalled to the right wing.

Up front, there are two changes to the pack. Galway man Ronan Loughney switches to tight head prop in the absence of the injured Nathan White and Rodney Ah You who remains with the Ireland squad. Flanker Willie Faloon is named in a back row alongside captain John Muldoon and Player of the Month George Naoupu.

The most notable inclusion on the bench is former Auckland Blues front row forward Tom McCartney who linked up with Connacht from New Zealand at the start of the month. McCartney can play at hooker or loose head prop and the current unavailability of five front row players highlights the value of the 29-year-old's versatility.

On-loan scrum half John Cooney is also included on the bench for his first home game while Ireland squad member Darragh Leader has been released from camp to play a part in tomorrow night's PRO12 clash.

Commenting on the team selection and the upcoming game, Head Coach Pat Lam said:

"It's fantastic to have our three new signings Mils, Bundee and Tom available for this game as we had planned. They have all settled in very well, getting to know their team mates and the new systems and structures. All three are really looking forward to getting out on the field tomorrow night in front of our home fans for the first time.

"We know there is a lot of anticipation around Mils' debut. This is Connacht's first All Black about to play at the Sportsground so it's obviously very exciting for us and our supporters. While the expectation is high, we have to keep in mind that this will be his first game of rugby since March after returning from a long term injury. But Mils is a true professional and has shown his experience during rehab, training and off the field. He is gunning to get out there to perform for the team.

"Miah (Nikora) gets his first start this season at outhalf after working extremely hard to come back from injury and has impressed us in training. It is a much changed back line from last time but one that we're excited about. It's great to have that extra depth in the squad to be able to make those changes.

"This week is huge for us. Games with Zebre have always been particularly tight as they are a proud team with a number of very experienced players. We are fully aware that we cannot afford to take our foot off the pedal at any time tomorrow night.

"We haven't had a game at home in nearly five weeks so there's a great buzz about the place and we're so looking forward to playing in front of a packed out Sportsground. We have three back-to-back home games coming up and protecting our unbeaten home record is very important to us."

Connacht team to face Zebre
15. Mils Muliaina
14. Danie Poolman
13. Bundee Aki
12. Dave McSharry
11. Matt Healy
10. Miah Nikora
9. Ian Porter

1. Denis Buckley
2. Jason Harris-Wright
3. Ronan Loughney
4. Mick Kearney
5. Quinn Roux
6. John Muldoon (captain)
7. Willie Faloon
8. George Naoupu

Replacements:
16. Dave Heffernan
17. Tom McCartney
18. Finlay Bealham
19. Andrew Browne
20. Eoin McKeon
21. John Cooney
22. Jack Carty
23. Darragh Leader

Unavailable/Injured: Sean Henry, Nathan White, Rodney Ah You, JP Cooney, Jamie Dever, Aly Muldowney, Michael Swift, Jake Heenan, Robbie Henshaw, Tiernan O'Halloran, Niyi Adeolokun.

Connacht v Zebre
Friday 21st November
The Sportsground
Kick off 7:35pm
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)

Tickets are selling fast but there are some remaining for the Main, Enclosed and new Seated Stand. Starting at just €20 for adults, tickets are available from tickets.ie, Centra & SuperValu stores province-wide or from the Connacht Rugby office at the Sportsground.