Finlay Bealham will be earning his 200th cap for Connacht when he takes to the field against Zebre this evening.
Connacht will face off against the South African side in Dexcom Stadium, formerly the Sportsground, at 7:35pm on Saturday.
Commenting ahead of the game, head coach Pete Wilkins said that it is an important match for Connacht’s place in the season ahead.
“Tomorrow marks the first of five crucial games for us to ensure we break back into the top 8 and remain in control of our destiny this season.”
This is the first of five games Connacht will play between now and the end of May, culminating in what’s sure to be a hell of a clash with Leinster in the RDS on May 31.
Next up after this evening will be an away game against the Dragons at Rodney Parade next Saturday.
“We’re very clear in what we need from the coming weeks to make the playoffs and we’re confident that we can achieve it.”
Bealham is the 7th player to reach such a major milestone with Connacht, joining current and former stars Denis Buckley, Tiernan O’Halloran and Jack Carty, John Muldoon, Michael Swift and Kieran Marmion.
Elsewhere in the lineup, academy graduate Matthew Devine is starting for Connacht for the first time at scrum-half, with long-time teammate Shane Jennings lining out at full-back.
Hooker Dave Heffernan captains the side while Jordan Duggan lines out as loosehead.
Locks Niall Murray and Joe Joyce are paired together, while a reshuffled back row sees Shamus Hurley-Langton move to blindside flanker, Conor Oliver coming in at openside and Sean O’Brien starting at number 8.
JJ Hanrahan continues at out-half, while Tom Farrell comes in to partner Bundee Aki in the centre. In the back three, there’s a return to the starting team for John Porch, while Andrew Smith is on the opposite wing.
CONNACHT RUGBY MATCHDAY 23 VS ZEBRE PARMA
19:35, Saturday 20th April 2024 @ Dexcom Stadium
Number/name/caps
15. Shane Jennings (10)
14. John Porch (84)
13. Tom Farrell (109)
12. Bundee Aki (134)
11. Andrew Smith (12)
10. JJ Hanrahan (17)
9. Matthew Devine (2)
1. Jordan Duggan (46)
2. Dave Heffernan (195) (C)
3. Finlay Bealham (199)
4. Joe Joyce (16)
5. Niall Murray (72)
6. Shamus Hurley-Langton (36)
7. Conor Oliver (80)
8. Seán O’Brien (7)
16. Tadgh McElroy (12)
17. Peter Dooley (32)
18. Sam Illo (20)
19. Oisín Dowling (55)
20 .Jarrad Butler (125)
21. Caolin Blade (187)
22. Cathal Forde (26)
23. Paul Boyle (90)
