GAJAN MAKES FOUR CHANGES AHEAD OF ZEBRE'S HOME DEBUT VS CONNACHT

The french coach made four changes in the starting line-up following the defeat suffered in Newport in the first round: 21-year-old Alberto Benettin is making his debut for the new italian franchise team starting at second-centre replacing injured team-mate Roberto Quartaroli, while Emerging Italy's scrum-half Alberto Chillon wins his first start in place of Tito Tebaldi.

Among the forwards, veteran flanker Mauro Bergamasco - recovered from a muscle injury suffered during summer friendlies - makes his first start for Zebre replacing Nicola Cattina, while former italian international Josh Sole starts as lock in place of Caffini, relegated to the bench after starting in Newport.

Gajan fully confirms the front-row, where tighthead David Ryan joins again italian internationals Salvatore Perugini as loosehead and Carlo Festuccia as hooker.

Zebre line-up to play Connacht is as follows:

15 Sinoti SINOTI
14 Giovanbattista VENDITTI*
13 Alberto BENETTIN*
12 Gonzalo GARCIA (captain)
11 Samuele PACE
10 Luciano ORQUERA

9 Alberto CHILLON*
8 Andries VAN SCHALKWYK
7 Mauro BERGAMASCO
6 Filippo CRISTIANO
5 Josh SOLE
4 Quintin GELDENHUYS
3 David RYAN
2 Carlo FESTUCCIA
1 Salvatore PERUGINI

replacements
16 Davide GIAZZON
17 Andrea DE MARCHI
18 Luca REDOLFINI
19 Emiliano CAFFINI*
20 Nicola BELARDO*
21 Tito TEBALDI
22 Alberto CHIESA*
23 Ruggero TREVISAN*

*Italian "Ivan Francescato" Academy Member

Not considered due to injury: Marco BORTOLAMI, Nicola CATTINA, Matteo PRATICHETTI, Roberto QUARTAROLI, Michael VAN VUREN