Academy outhalf Conor McKeon represents one of two changes to the replacements bench and the 21-year-old, former Gonzaga College schoolboy is in line to earn his first cap for the province in Italy tomorrow. Cousin to Number 8 Eoin McKeon, the former Ireland Under-20's and Lansdowne outhalf joined the Connacht Academy last summer.
24-year-old prop forward JP Cooney has also been included in tomorrow's match day squad, replacing the injured Ronan Loughney (groin).
Connacht currently sit in eighth place in the PRO12 competition after dropping out of the all-important sixth place for the first time this season following the loss to league-leaders Glasgow Warriors last month.
However, Pat Lam's men are still in with a chance of qualifying for next season's European Champions Cup. A win over Zebre tomorrow would mark a season record of ten league wins and would also be the tenth consecutive win over the Italian side.
Zebre are still chasing down the Italian European Champions Cup spot for next season as they sit just three points behind their closest rivals Benetton Treviso.
Commenting on the team selection and the upcoming game, Pat Lam said:
"After a series of good performances from the bench, it's great to be able to give John (Cooney) a start tomorrow.
"At this late stage of the season, it's not unusual for us to be light in terms of players available. We've always had to rely on our Academy players to step up when needed and with an eye to the future, young Conor (McKeon) will get a well-deserved chance to do that this weekend. Conor is a talented outhalf who has done very well in his first year in the Academy. He has trained with the senior squad for the last four weeks and to gain experience on and off the field in a massively important PRO12 game is the next step in his development.
"We all know how crucial this game against Zebre is. It's must-win territory if we want to keep our hopes of Champions Cup qualification alive. While we have a good record against Zebre, we know too well not to underestimate them. They have been consistently improving as a side over the last three seasons and they are different prospect at home. They have their own European battle ongoing with Treviso and a lot to play for in these last two rounds.
"While our run in is tight, all we can control is our own performance and we must ensure the win in Italy before we welcome Ospreys to the Sportsground next weekend. We are determined to finish the season on a high - for us and for our supporters."
Connacht team to face Zebre
15. Tiernan O'Halloran
14. Danie Poolman
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Bundee Aki
11. Matt Healy
10. Jack Carty
9. John Cooney
1. Denis Buckley
2. Tom McCartney
3. Rodney Ah You
4. Ultan Dillane
5. Aly Muldowney
6. John Muldoon (captain)
7. Eoghan Masterson
8. Eoin McKeon
Replacements:
16. Dave Heffernan
17. JP Cooney
18. Finlay Bealham
19. Andrew Browne
20. George Naoupu
21. Kieran Marmion
22. Conor McKeon
23. Darragh Leader
Unavailable/Injured: Jason Harris-Wright, Sean Henry, Ronan Loughney, Nathan White, Michael Swift, Mick Kearney, Quinn Roux, Mata Fifita, Willie Faloon, Jake Heenan, Craig Ronaldson, Conor Finn, Dave McSharry, Mils Muliaina.
Zebre v Connacht
Saturday 16th May
At Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
Kick off 6.30pm (local time)
Live on Nuvolari / TG4
Referee: Ian Davies (WRU, 30th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Elia Rizzo, Filippo Bertelli (both FIR)
Citing Commissioner: Francesco Grilllo (FIR)
TMO: Stefano Penne (FIR)Kick off 6:30pm (Italy time)
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