If Buckley has an off day or Zebre are gaining an edge in the scrums I would be much happier with Wilko coming off the bench. Rodney would also be better served with playing a full 60 minutes in Athlone.

salmson wrote: Of course there is the possiblity that he'll be leaving in the summer, which might explain why Ah You is favoured.

I seriously doubt Rodney got the nod for such an important game just to give him some exposure, isn't that why the Eagles were set up? But you're right, Wilko hasn't been great so far. Would still rate him miles ahead of Rodders though.

He's not exactly torn up any trees so far this year, so maybe he's dropped, or maybe it's just rotation.

Of course there is the possiblity that he'll be leaving in the summer, which might explain why Ah You is favoured.

Quite surprised Wilko's not on the bench. I take it he's been dropped essentially? Not too enthusiastic about Rodney getting in there but happy otherwise, think we'll get the win.

Connacht XV:

15 Robbie Henshaw

14 Tiernan O’Halloran

13 Eoin Griffin

12 Dave McSharry

11 Fetu’u Vainikolo

10 Dan Parks

9 Kieran Marmion

1 Denis Buckley

2 Ethienne Reynecke

3 Nathan White (C)

4 Michael Swift

5 Mike McCarthy

6 John Muldoon

7 Willie Faloon

8 George Naoupu

Replacements (from):

16 Adrian Flavin

17 Rodney Ah You

18 Ronan Loughney

19 Dave Gannon

20 Johnny O’Connor

21 Dave Moore

22 Miah Nikora

23 Mata Fifita



www.connachtrugby.ie/2012101183047/four-...-heineken-cup-opener

Brett Wilkinson has been named in the Eagles side, so guessing Buckley to start with White and Loughney and Ah You on the bench.

In the context of our season I don't think the importance of this game can be overstated. Zebre haven't pulled up any trees yet but could very easily have nicked it against us in the league game but for a knock on in the final pass when 6 down with time almost up. They ran a decent Glasgow side close and an in form Ospreys got just two tries against them last week.

They have been getting more competitive and as with us against Harlequins last year, Saturday is their Heineken Cup final.

Also I'm sure no one will be forgetting our comprehensive defeats to Aironi in the last two years and losing to Cavalieri two years ago in the Challenge Cup.

Having said all that for me these are the important games for us. This hasn't the glamour of other games like Leinster, Harlequins, Toulouse which mean so much to everyone but for me if we were to beat Harlequins next week it wouldn't mean much if it came on the back of a loss on Saturday.

Just a comparison here's the Zebre team we played in the second week of the Pro12

15 Sinoti Sinoti
14 Giovanbattista Venditti
13 Alberto Benettin
12 Gonzalo Garcia (c)
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 Marchie, 18 Luca Redolfini, 19 Emiliano Caffini, 20 Nicola Belardo, 21 Tito Tebaldi, 22 Alberto Chiesa, 23 Ruggero Trevisan.

In the backs Pace is out, Sinoti moving to his wing spot and Halangahu starting at FB. Pace was the player who shredded us for the opening Zebre try. Tebaldi starting is an improvement, I believe.

Zebre have named their team for the game

Questa la formazione delle Zebre per la partita di Heineken Cup di sabato 13 Ottobre alle 14.35 contro Connacht allo stadio XXV Aprile di Parma:

15 Daniel HALANGAHU
14 Giovanbattista VENDITTI*
13 Matteo PRATICHETTI
12 Gonzalo GARCIA (cap)
11 Sinoti SINOTI
10 Luciano ORQUERA
9 Tito TEBALDI
8 Andries VAN SCHALKWYK
7 Mauro BERGAMASCO
6 Nicola BELARDO*
5 Josh SOLE
4 Quintin GELDENHUYS
3 Luca REDOLFINI
2 Davide GIAZZON
1 Salvatore PERUGINI

A disposizione:

16 Carlo FESTUCCIA
17 Matias AGUERO
18 Carlo FAZZARI
19 Michael VAN VUREN
20 Filippo FERRARINI*
21 Luca MARTINELLI*
22 Ruggero TREVISAN*
23 Leonardo SARTO*