The back line remains unchanged with wing Matt Healy set to make his 50th appearance in a Connacht jersey.
From the bench, versatile back Darragh Leader and Academy hooker Shane Delahunt are in line to make their season debut while back row Eoghan Masterson also makes a welcome return from injury.
Between the PRO12 and European competitions, this will be the 11th time that Connacht and Zebre have met since the 2012/13 season. Pat Lam's men will be hoping to continue their 100% winning record over the Italian side.
Commenting on the team selection and the upcoming game, head coach Pat Lam said:
"It's good to be kick starting this 16-game run with a home game in front of our supporters. Protecting our home ground is really important to us and tomorrow's game with Zebre is another must-win.
"We have a lot of respect for Zebre who we've played a good few times over the past few seasons and each time we've played them, we've had to work collectively as a team for our wins. They have definitely regrouped after a big loss in the opening week and Scarlets and Dragons just got home against them so we expect a tough battle tomorrow night."
Connacht 15 - 9: Tiernan O'Halloran, Danie Poolman, Rory Parata, Bundee Aki, Matt Healy, Jack Carty, Kieran Marmion
1 - 8: Denis Buckley, Tom McCartney, Rodney Ah You, Quinn Roux, Andrew Browne, John Muldoon (captain), Nepia Fox-Matamua, Eoin McKeon
Replacements: Shane Delahunt, Conan O'Donnell, Finlay Bealham, Aly Muldowney, Eoghan Masterson, John Cooney, Craig Ronaldson, Darragh Leader
Unavailable / Injured: Jason Harris-Wright, Nathan White, Ronan Loughney, JP Cooney, Ben Marshall, Jake Heenan, Api Pewhairangi, Robbie Henshaw, Dave McSharry, Shane O'Leary, Conor Finn, Fionn Carr
Connacht v Zebre
Friday, October 16th
At the Sportsground, 7:30pm
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