Changes to Connacht squad for trip to Treviso

Connacht Rugby head coach Stuart Lancaster has named his matchday 23 for tomorrow's BKT United Rugby Championship meeting with Benetton Rugby in Treviso. The kick-off time is 7.45 p.m.

Irish international Ciarán Frawley will make his Connacht debut, with the out-half named to start in the number 10 shirt.

He’s one of six players who were named in the Ireland summer tour to come straight into the matchday 23 having missed last week.

Cian Prendergast captains the side from the flank, player of the year Sean Jansen starts at number eight, and lock Darragh Murray is named in the second row, while props Billy Bohan and Sam Illo – who’s set to make his 50th Connacht appearance – are among the replacements.

There are two further changes from the side that started last week’s opener against the Stormers. Hooker Matthew Victory is handed his first Connacht start, while Caolin Blade is named at scrum-half.

Completing the pack is props Francois van Wyk and Finlay Bealham, lock Josh Murphy, and Sean O’Brien, who shifts to the openside flank.

The rest of the backs is unchanged, with Mack Hansen and Finn Treacy on the wings, Cathal Forde and John Devine in the centre, and Sam Gilbert at full-back.

The team in full is as follows: Sam Gilbert, Finn Treacy, John Devine, Cathal Forde, Mack Hansen, Ciarán Frawley, Caolin Blade; Francois van Wyk, Matthew Victory, Finlay Bealham, Darragh Murray, Josh Murphy, Cian Prendergast, Seán O’Brien, Sean Jansen.

On the replacements' bench are: Eoin de Buitléar, Billy Bohan, Sam Illo, Niall Murray, Paul Boyle, Colm Reilly, Josh Ioane, Shane Jennings.