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Matt Healy starts as Connacht make four changes for Benetton Treviso clash

Matt Healy makes his return from a hand injury for this weekend's clash with Benetton Treviso, as...



Matt Healy starts as Connacht...
Rugby

Matt Healy starts as Connacht make four changes for Benetton Treviso clash

Matt Healy makes his return from a hand injury for this weekend's clash with Benetton Treviso, as Pat Lam makes four changes (two personnel, two positional) to the side that beat Cardiff Blues last weekend.

Healy, who resumed full training this week, will take his place on the left wing and Craig Ronaldson ruled out, Stacey Ili moves into midfield to partner Bundee Aki.

Outhalf Marnitz Boshoff makes his first start having come off the bench last week. The South African is partnered by scrum half John Cooney.

Cian Kelleher shifts from fullback to right wing so Tiernan O'Halloran wears number 15. Nepia Fox-Matamua continues his return from injury and is named to start at blindside flanker in an otherwise unchanged forward pack.

Dominic Robertson-McCoy, Sean O'Brien and Rory Parata are all additions to the match day squad, while Parata is in line to make his first appearance of the season.

"After an important result last week, it's great to be back at home for another crucial game in the Guinness PRO12," said Lam ahead of the game.

"We know we are expected to win this game against Treviso tomorrow but we can only do that on the back of solid preparation. It's been a good week together as a squad and we're excited to get out there to fight for more vital points before attention turns to Champions Cup rugby."

Connacht XV to face Treviso (Connacht Caps)

15 Tiernan O'Halloran (110)
14 Cian Kelleher (9)
13 Bundee Aki (50)
12 Stacey Ili (6)
11 Matt Healy (77)
10 Marnitz Boshoff (1)
9 John Cooney (27)

1 Denis Buckley (100)
2 Tom McCartney (48)
3 Conor Carey (7)
4 Quinn Roux (39)
5 James Cannon (3)
6 Nepia Fox-Matamua (10)
7 Jake Heenan (42)
8 John Muldoon (captain) (285)

Replacements:

16 Dave Heffernan (67)
17 JP Cooney (37)
18 Dominic Robertson-McCoy (3)
19 Sean O'Brien (23)
20 Eoin McKeon (95)
21 Caolin Blade (30)
22 Jack Carty (64)
23 Rory Parata (18)

Check out Alan Quinlan's thoughts ahead of the game and reflections on a wonderful November Series for Ireland.

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