Rovigo v Connacht

Date: Saturday, December 6
Venue: Stadio Matteo Battaglini
Kick-off: 15:00 (14:00 GMT)
Referee: JP Doyle (England) 

Connacht coach Michael Bradley has made two changes to the side to take on Rovigo at the Stadio Comunale Mario Battaglini for the European Challenge Cup tie in Italy today. Connacht supporters will not have fond memories of the sides last visit to Italy where the lost 28 -24 to Sicilian outfit Amatori Catania in a scrappy ill-tempered game.

In fact Connacht have played in Italy only one other time back in season 2000-01 where they narrowly beat Rugby Roma by 20 -10, the only survivors from that match are Gavin Duffy and Johnny O'Connor (who was sent of incidentally) and the injured Colm Rigney...

The challenge to Connacht this time if they are to improve their record in Italy to a winning one will be to match the physical challenge laid down by the Italian pack, but to show their undoubted extra class behind the scrum. If they fail to keep cool and get drawn into another slugfest, there is a real risk that the Connacht that capitulated against Llanelli, Cardiff and most recently Ulster will resurface and possibly ending all hope of progressing beyond this stage in the competition. Remember that this side although taken apart by London Irish at the Madjeski, were comfortable enough winners (24 -11) the following week at home against French outfit Dax

For Connacht, Daniel Riordan comes into the back-line for the injured Mel Deane while in the forwards Andrew Browne has been drafted in for Colm Rigney, who has also been ruled out through injury. Gavin Duffy will captain the side and moves to outside centre, while Fionn Carr reverting to full-back.

The Italians are short on household names with Juan Pablo Orlandi the most recognisable member of their side. The 6'3'' prop having been part of the Argentina team beaten by Ireland at Croke Park a fortnight ago and Brett Wilkinson will have a tough task trying to contain him

Rovigo: 15 Stefan Basson, 14 Pablo Calanchini, 13 Juan Pablo Sanchez, 12 Norman di Maura, 11 Andrea Bacchetti, 10 German Bustos, 9 Juan Cruz Legora, 8 Jacobus Immelman, 7 Johan Britz, 6 Younes Anouer, 5 Marco Barion, 4 Tomasso Reato, 3 Juan Pablo Orlandi, 2 Valerio Vicere, 1 Bruno Fortuna.
Replacements: 16 Andrea de Marchi, 17 Luke Mahoney, 18 Daniele Tumiati, 19 Niccolò Badocchi, 20 Stefano Canale, 21 Stefano Ambrosio, 22 Filippo Aretusini.

Connacht: 15 Fionn Carr, 14 Troy Nathan, 13 Gavin Duffy (c), 12 Keith Matthews, 11 Daniel Riordan, 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Frank Murphy, 8 Ray Ofisa, 7 Jonny O'Connor, 6 Michael McCarthy, 5 Andrew Farley, 4 Andrew Browne, 3 Robbie Morris, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 Brett Wilkinson.
Replacements: 16 Adrian Flavin, 17 Ronan Loughney, 19 Michael Swift, 20 David Gannon, 21 Kieran Campbell, 21 Tim Donnelly, 22 John Hearty.

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