PRO12 Preview: Zebre v Connacht

Connacht Rugby travel to Italy to take on Zebre Rugby in a fixture that was abandoned in Round 3 due to adverse weather conditions during the game.

What’s at Stake

Both teams come into this game trying to keep alive their mathematical chances of automatic qualification for the Champions Cup. The home team trail Italian rivals Benetton Rugby Treviso by six points while Connacht would need to finish above Scarlets to ensure their place in the Champions Cup on the basis that Glasgow Warriors will qualify as highest-placed Scottish team.

The 2016 Guinness PRO12 champions have won three of their last four games, including a 33-3 win over Zebre in Galway in Round 17

Did you know?

• This original match on 17 September was abandoned at half time with Connacht leading 22-10.


• Zebre’s most recent victory was 19-14 over Edinburgh Rugby at BT Murrayfield on 28 October, whilst their most recent victory in Parma was against Newport Gwent Dragons in round 22 last year.


• Connacht were beaten 35-24 in Glasgow in round 18 to stop a run of four successive Guinness PRO12 victories.


• Connacht have won just twice on the road in the PRO12 this season, both in February, on trips to Cardiff Blues and Benetton Treviso.


• The two sides have met on fifteen previous occasions in all competitions with Connacht triumphant in each instance.


• Connacht have already been victorious in Parma this season, having beaten Zebre 52-7 in the second round of the European Champions Cup.

ZEBRE v CONNACHT RUGBY
Saturday April 1^st
At Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
Kick off: 3.30pm local time (2.30pm Ireland & UK)

This game will not be televised due to a clash with an EPCR tournament weekend.

Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU, 6^th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Graeme Wells (SRU), Emanuele Tomo (FIR)
Citing Commissioner: Roberto Carra (FIR)

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