KIERAN MARMION WILL start for Connacht in tomorrow’s Pro12 clash against Zebre as Pat Lam makes five changes for the trip to Italy.
The scrum-half was on the bench for Ireland’s opening Six Nations game against Wales but was then released by Joe Schmidt for the province’s win over Dragons last week.
Marmion will partner AJ MacGinty while Finlay Bealham has also been released from international duty to start in the front row.
Former Leinster lock Ben Marshall returns from an arm injury which saw him sidelined since November while Eoin McKeon, Jake Heenan and captain John Muldoon make up a dynamic back row.
“As we head away on one of the longer away trips in the PRO12 schedule, it was great to have some of our Irish boys back from camp to train with us as well as a few guys coming off the injured list,” Lam commented.
“While it’s extremely tight at the top end of the table, we are solely focused on the quality of our performance tomorrow to get the points on offer in what will be another tough test on the road.”
Connacht are currently sitting in second in the Pro12 standings, level on points with leaders Ulster on 45 points.
Kick-off at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi is at 4.30pm Irish time tomorrow and the game is live on TG4.
Connacht (v Zebre):
15. Tiernan O’Halloran
14. Niyi Adeolokun
13. Bundee Aki
12. Craig Ronaldson
11. Matt Healy
10. AJ MacGinty
9. Kieran Marmion
1. Denis Buckley
2. Tom McCartney
3. Finlay Bealham
4. Ben Marshall
5. Aly Muldowney
6. John Muldoon (captain)
7. Jake Heenan
8. Eoin McKeon
Replacements:
16. Dave Heffernan
17. Ronan Loughney
18. Rodney Ah You
19. George Naoupu
20. Eoghan Masterson
21. Caolin Blade
22. Peter Robb
23. Danie Poolman
The42 Six Nations Show / SoundCloud
