Connacht Rugby have announced the starting XV that will face Benetton Treviso on Friday night at the Sportsground.

Head Coach Eric Elwood has opted for a side that blends an experienced pack with an exciting and dynamic backline. In total there are7 changes in the starting lineup that faced the Ospreys last week.

Ethienne Reynecke and Ronan Loughney have been called into the frontrow, they join Brett Wilkinson after making their mark against Toulouse a fortnight ago.  

A powerful secondrow combination of Michael Swift and George Naoupu backs them up while Dave Gannon, John Muldoon and Ray Ofisa, who earns his 100th cap for Connacht, complete the backline.

Frank Murphy and Niall O'Connor make for a changed midfield. The halfback pairing last played together in Connacht's narrow defeat to the Cardiff Blues in October at the Sportsground.  

Centre sensation Dave McSharry moves back to 12 while Connacht's latest signing, Kyle Tonetti, gets his first taste of senior action at outside centre, the 24 year old flyer joined Connacht from Sale Sharks earlier this year.

Mark McCrea earns a start on the right wing, the former Ireland U19 winger scored the match-winning try against Dragons earlier this season. He is joined by Tiernan O'Halloran on the left wing and captain Gavin Duffy in the backline.

Connacht team to face Benetton Treviso (The Sportsground, Friday 2nd December, kick-off 19.30)

15 Gavin Duffy (C)

14 Mark McCrea

13 Kyle Tonetti

12 Dave McSharry

11 Tiernan O'Halloran

10 Niall O'Connor

09 Frank Murphy

01 Brett Wilkinson

02 Ethienne Reynecke

03 Ronan Loughney

04 Michael Swift

05 George Naoupu

06 Dave Gannon

07 John Muldoon

08 Ray Ofisa

16 Adrian Flavin

17 Dennis Buckley

18 Rodney Ah You

19 Mick Kearney

20 Eoghan Grace

21 Paul O'Donohoe

22 Matthew Jarvis

23 Fetu'u Vainikolo