Three PRO14 matches take place on Saturday with Zebre and Cardiff Blues closing out the action in the solitary game on Sunday.
Connacht v Benetton
Benetton will face the Connacht Rugby in the sixteenth round of the competition at Stade Monigo on Saturday.
The Benetton technical staff that will have to do without the 12 players summoned by the Italian National team, to which are added the unavailability due to injury of seven players.
Full-back will be Luca Sperandio on the wings Andrea Bronzini and Monty Ioane. Tommaso Iannone and Luca Morisi will be respectively right and left centre. The half backs are Tito Tebaldi at scrum half and Marty Banks at fly-half.
The front row will consist of Federico Zani, Tomas Baravalle and Matteo Zanusso.
Locks will be Marco Lazzaroni and Irné Herbst. Finally, the back row sees Alberto Sgarbi, Marco Barbini and Whetu Douglas completing the XV chosen by Crowley.
Flanker Jarrad Butler and prop Denis Buckley have returned to the Connacht side to face Benetton in the PRO14 on Saturday. Tiernan O’Halloran, who missed the game against Zebre last week with a short-term injury is also back in Kieran Keane’s starting XV.
Having come through a full 80 minutes last weekend, flanker Sean O’Brien is named at blindside in an experienced back row that includes Butler and veteran captain John Muldoon.
Jack Carty is named at out half where he will form a half back pairing with Caolin Blade.
The squad is also boosted by the return of Niyi Adeolokun from injury and Ultan Dillane from international duty, with both named among the replacements. Dillane will return to Irish camp after the clash in Italy.
The clash with Benetton on Saturday will form the first leg of a tour for Connacht which will take mostly the same personnel on to Bloemfontein in South Africa to play the Cheetahs on Saturday 3rd of March.
Speaking ahead of the two away fixtures, Head Coach Kieran Keane emphasised the importance of having depth in the squad. “We have a number of players coming back from injury which will be a big boost against Treviso on Saturday. They are on a great run of wins and I’m sure they will be targeting us especially when they have been so competitive at home this season”, Keane said.
“The majority of the squad will travel on to South Africa, but we have put plans in place for replacements to join the squad after the game in Italy. These two games will really test the depth of our squad and we will need to be at our best if we want to win them”, he added.
Benetton: 15 Luca Sperandio, 14 Andrea Bronzini, 13 Tommaso Iannone, 12 Luca Morisi, 11 Monty Ioane, 10 Marty Banks, 9 Tito Tebaldi, 8 Whetu Douglas, 7 Marco Barbini, 6 Alberto Sgarbi (c), 5 Irné Herbst, 4 Marco Lazzaroni, 3 Matteo Zanusso, 2 Tomas Baravalle, 1 Federico Zani
Replacements: 16 Hame Faiva, 17 Riccardo Brugnara, 18 Cherif Traore, 19 Marco Fuser, 20 Nasi Manu, 21 Giorgio Bronzini, 22 Marco Zanon, 23 Michael Tagicakibau
Connacht: 15 Tiernan O’Halloran, 14 Cian Kelleher, 13 Eoin Griffin, 12 Tom Farrell, 11 Matt Healy, 10 Jack Carty, 9 Caolin Blade, 8 John Muldoon (c), 7 Jarrad Butler, 6 Sean O’Brien, 5 James Cannon, 4 Gavin Thornbury, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Tom McCartney, 1 Denis Buckley
Replacements: 16 Dave Heffernan, 17 Denis Coulson, 18 Dominic Robertson-McCoy, 19 Ultan Dillane, 20 Eoghan Masterson, 21 James Mitchell, 22 Craig Ronaldson, 23 Niyi Adeolokun
Date: Saturday, February 24
Venue: Stadio Monigo
Kick-off: 13:00 local (12:00 GMT)
Referee: Lloyd Linton (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Eddie Hogan-O'Connell (Ireland), Oisin Quinn (Ireland)
Television match official: Leo Colgan (Ireland)
Ospreys v Cheetahs
Reuben Morgan-Williams makes his first PRO14 start, while Alex Jeffries will make his PRO14 debut if he comes off the bench.
Ashley Beck makes his 100th Championship appearance while Ma’afu Fia will make his 50th Ospreys appearance if he comes off the bench
Interim Head Coach, Allen Clarke, said:
“Everybody here understands the importance of this game to our aspirations for this season. The win last weekend was crucial for us and we got what we needed from the Kings game even if we know that the performance wasn’t at the level we want it to be.
“There’s a healthy realism about where we are and what we need to do to improve our position over the coming weeks, starting on Saturday evening. We have to build on the last result.
“We know where we are in the table but to give credit to the squad the mood is good and the environment is a positive one with people wanting to be here, wanting to work hard.
“Whatever the outcome this weekend, or this season, that’s something positive that we can build on for the future. Ultimately though, we all understand that we’ll be judged by what happens on the field on game day.”
Meanwhile, the following players are not eligible for the Cheetahs due to injury: William Small-Smith (knee), Dennis Visser (knee), Tian Meyer (groin), Niell Jordaan (ankle), Elandré Huggett (knee) Ruan van Rensburg, (knee), Lloyd Greeff (shoulder), Tom Botha (calf), Luan de Bruin.
Ospreys: 15 Dan Evans, 14 Jeff Hassler, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Ashley Beck, 11 Tom Habberfield (c), 10 Sam Davies, 9 Reuben Morgan-Williams 8 Sam Cross, 7 Guy Mercer, 6 Olly Cracknell, 5 James King, 4 Adam Beard, 3 Dmitri Arhip, 2 Sam Parry, 1 Nicky Smith
Replacements: 16 Ifan Phillips, 17 Rhodri Jones, 18 Ma’afu Fia, 19 Alex Jeffries, 20 James Hook, 21 Luke Price, 22 Owen Watkin, 23 Hanno Dirksen
Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Craig Barry, 13 Francois Venter (c), 12 Nico Lee, 11 Malcolm Jaer, 10 Niel Marais, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Uzair Cassiem, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Paul Schoeman, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Justin Basson, 3 Johan Coetzee, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Charles Marais
Replacements: 16 Jacques du Toit, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Erich de Jager, 19 Renier Bernardo, 20 Oupa Mohoje, 21 Zee Mkhabela, 22 Fred Zeilinga, 23 Luther Obi
Date: Saturday, February 24
Venue: Liberty Stadium
Kick-off: 17:30 GMT
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
Assistant referees: Adam Jones (Wales), Dewi Phillips (Wales)
Scarlets v Ulster
Scarlets take on Ulster on Saturday evening as the PRO14 returns to Parc y Scarlets.
The Scarlets have named an exciting matchday 23 for the Saturday night game as the West Wales region look to get back to winning ways in the championship to keep the pressure on Leinster, who currently claim the top spot.
Wales Under 20s winger Corey Baldwin makes his first start in the PRO14 as he lines up alongside Tom Williams and Ioan Nicholas in the back-three.
Steff Hughes leads the side once again and is partnered with Australian Paul Asquith in midfield. Dan Jones and Jonathan Evans retain their places at halfback.
The pack remains unchanged from last weekend with both Ryan Elias and James Davies returned from Wales camp.
Hooker Emyr Phillips will reach a career milestone as he makes his 150th appearance for the region from the replacements bench. In stark contrast Ioan Hughes will make only his second appearance whilst winger Ryan Conbeer is set to make his PRO14 debut from the bench.
Scarlets head coach Wayne Pivac said; “We have the ability to open up a bit of a gap on Ulster and push some pressure on them and they’ll know that.
“We know that if we don’t get the result it closes right up. With Leinster next week it’s going to be a testing time for us. We’re working hard with the group to prepare ourselves for what’s coming.
“There’s a good buzz about the group and they’re disappointed with the last couple of results and they’re determined on getting a result this weekend. What we want is a good home crowd to turn out and get behind the team as if it was a European cup match because in the context of the PRO14 these next couple of weeks are very important.”
Ulster Head Coach Jono Gibbes has made just two changes to the starting XV for Saturday's PRO14 Round 16 clash away to Scarlets.
Ulster's record appearance holder, Andrew Trimble, will earn his 229th cap, as he is recalled to the starting team in place of the injured Craig Gilroy on the right wing.
The only other change to the side that suffered an agonising last gasp defeat to Edinburgh last weekend sees John Andrew come in at hooker.
Alan O'Connor will captain the Ulster men for the third game in a row alongside Kieran Treadwell in the second row, while props Andy Warwick and Wiehahn Herbst complete the front five.
Nick Timoney, who topped the PRO14 tackle count last weekend, continues at openside flanker, as does Matty Rea at blindside and Jean Deysel at number 8.
Behind the scrum, John Cooney has been released from Ireland duty to play at scrum-half, while Johnny McPhillips has recovered from a shoulder knock to take his place at fly-half.
The impressive midfield duo of Stuart McCloskey and Luke Marshall also remain in situ, with Tommy Bowe and Louis Ludik joining Trimble in the back three.
Among the replacements, Rob Herring, Kyle McCall and Rodney Ah You will provide the front row backup, with Abbey Insurance Ulster Academy player Matthew Dalton and Chris Henry named as the additional forward options. Paul Marshall, who is in line for his first appearance since December, Peter Nelson and Darren Cave, provide versatile backline cover from the bench.
Scarlets: 15 Tom Williams, 14 Corey Baldwin, 13 Paul Asquith, 12 Steff Hughes (c), 11 Ioan Nicholas, 10 Dan Jones, 9 Jonathan Evans, 8 Josh Macleod, 7 James Davies, 6 Tadhg Beirne, 5 David Bulbring, 4 Steven Cummins, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Ryan Elias, 1 Dylan Evans
Replacements: 16 Emyr Phillips, 17 Phil Price, 18 Simon Gardiner, 19 Lewis Rawlins, 20 Will Boyde, 21 Declan Smith, 22 Ioan Hughes, 23 Ryan Conbeer
Ulster: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Luke Marshall, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Tommy Bowe; 10 Johnny McPhillips, 9 John Cooney, 8 Jean Deysel, 7 Nicholas Timoney, 6 Matt Rea, 5 Kieran Treadwell, 4 Alan O'Connor (c), 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 2 John Andrew, 1 Andrew Warwick
Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Kyle McCall, 18 Rodney Ah You, 19 Mtthew Dalton, 20 Chris Henry, 21 Paul Marshall, 22 Peter Nelson, 23 Darren Cave
Date: Saturday, February 24
Venue: Parc y Scarlets
Kick-off: 19:35 GMT
Referee: Ian Davies (Wales)
Assistant referees: Gwyn Morris (Wales), Elgan Williams (Wales)
Television match official: Sean Brickell (Wales)
Sunday
Zebre v Cardiff Blues
Zebre ended their Irish road trip last Friday with their first ever win at the Sportsground against Connacht.
The Stadio Lanfranchi fans are ready to embrace their beloved team on Sunday when the Italian franchise will host the Welsh Cardiff Blues in the 16th round of the PRO14.
For this important encounter for the race to the EPCR Champions Cup playoff spot, the Parma based franchise will face the Blues aiming to get their third straight win after beating the Cheetahs and Munster at home.
In the previous five games played in Parma, Zebre have won twice, the last in the 26-15 in October 2015, while Zebre beat the Blues at the Arms Park in the season 2013/14 and earning the double over the Blues.
Zebre coaching staff can count on three Italian internationals who were released by Italy like last weekend: centre Bisegni, prop Chistolini and hooker Fabiani.
All of them were among the team who beat Connacht 19-11 last weekend along with centurion Palazzani; the scrum-half will be the Zebre captain for the first time on his 102nd cap. There will be a total of five changes in the starting line-up: two in the backs unit and three in the pack. The Irish utility back Parata switches to fullback with Venditti starting on the left wing. Fly-half Bordoli replace Canna with the number 10 jersey after playing fullback in Galway as substitute to the early injured Gaffney.
In the pack there will be a brand new second row unit with Sisi pairing with Krumov, while new-zealander Tucker switches to the back row.
The last change is the one of Minnie who will start at number 8.
On the bench there will be a permit player, loose-head prop Rimpelli of Rugby Calvisano in the main Italian league Eccellenza. The 20 years old prop is ready to earn his overall debut with the Parma based franchise and in the PRO14.
Meanwhile, Cardiff Blues have been forced to make six changes.
A combination of injuries and international duty have hit Danny Wilson's pack, while the back-line remains unchanged from last week's 25-18 victory over Munster.
Injuries see the Blues field an entirely new front-row of Rhys Gill, Kirby Myhill and Anton Peikrishvili.
Damian Welch comes in for Seb Davies, who is in Ireland with Wales, while Olly Robinson and Josh Turnbull step up from the bench after Macauley Cook and Nick Williams were ruled out.
Wales' Capital Region are aiming to build upon an impressive double over Munster and Toyota Cheetahs but Wilson knows his side can take nothing for granted against a rejuvenated Italian outfit.
The Cardiff Blues head coach said: "We have a number of boys who picked up bumps against Munster and were late calls.
"They're senior players which is a blow. Over the last two games we've had two really good wins and these guys have been pivotal but it has taken its toll. That said it provides an opportunity for others.
"We all know it's a very tough place to go to win. Gone are the days where you go to Zebre to pick up a bonus point win.
"It's an extremely difficult place and they got a result last week against Connacht away, and beat them quite comfortably.
"They're not the route-one, set-piece and kicking-only teams that they used to be. There is far more to them and therefore they are a real threat.
"I certainly want our record to be three Italian wins this season, but by no means is that an easy achievement."
There are a number of new faces on the bench with Dragons hooker Rhys Buckley providing short-term injury cover. Academy back-row forward Alun Lawrence could also make his first PRO14 appearance having made his senior debut last month.
Zebre: 15 Rory Parata, 14 Gabriele Di Giulio, 13 Giulio Bisegni, 12 Faialaga Afamasaga, 11 Giovanbattista Venditti, 10 Serafin Bordoli, 9 Guglielmo Palazzani (c), 8 Derick Minnie, 7 Johan Meyer, 6 James Tucker, 5 Leonard Krumov, 4 David Sisi, 3 Dario Chistolini, 2 Oliviero Fabiani, 1 Cruze Ah-Nau
Replacements: 16 Luhandre Luus, 17 Daniele Rimpelli, 18 Roberto Tenga, 19 Valerio Bernabò, 20 Jacopo Sarto, 21 Riccardo Raffaele, 22 Maicol Azzolini, 23 Matteo Pratichetti
Cardiff Blues: 15 Rhun Williams, 14 Aled Summerhill, 13 Garyn Smith, 12 Rey Lee-Lo, 11 Owen Lane, 10 Jarrod Evans, 9 Lloyd Williams, 8 Josh Turnbull, 7 Ellis Jenkins (c), 6 Olly Robinson, 5 Damian Welch, 4 George Earle, 3 Anton Peikrishvili, 2 Kirby Myhill, 1 Rhys Gill
Replacements: 16 Rhys Buckley, 17 Brad Thyer, 18 Scott Andrews, 19 James Down, 20 Alun Lawrence, 21 Tomos Williams, 22 Steve Shingler, 23 Blaine Scully
Date: Sunday, February 24
Venue: Stadio Lianfranchi
Kick-off: 14:00 local (13:00 GMT)
Referee: Frank Murphy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Eddie Hogan-O'Connell (Ireland), Clara Munarini (Italy)
Television match official: Leo Colgan (Ireland)
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