Mils Muliaina finally set for Connacht debut

CONNACHT v ZEBRE
Sportsground, 7.35pm
TG4

There is something apposite about the fact that All Black great and centurion Mils Muliaina's belated Connacht debut will take place in front of the television cameras in what promises to be a historic night for the western province.

Now happily recovered from elbow surgery, Muliaina is joined in the Connacht backline by fellow Kiwi Bundee Aki, the latter making his home debut.

Darragh Leader spent time with the Ireland squad recently so he starts on the bench, where Connacht's most recent recruit, hooker Tom McCartney, who arrived in Galway at the beginning of the month can also be found.

Connacht coach Pat Lam admitted: "It's fantastic to have our three new signings Mils, Bundee and Tom available for this game as we had planned. They have all settled in very well, getting to know their team-mates and the new systems and structures. All three are really looking forward to getting out on the field in front of our home fans for the first time."

Anything other than a Connacht victory would constitute both a surprise and an anti-climax given the night in question.

CONNACHT: M Muliaina; D Poolman, B Aki , D McSharry, M Healy; M Nikora, I Porter; D Buckley, J Harris-Wright, R Loughney; M Kearney, Q Roux; J Muldoon (capt), W Faloon, G Naoupu. Replacements: D Heffernan, T McCartney, F Bealham, A Browne, E McKeon, J Cooney, J Carty, D Leader.

ZEBRE: H Daniller; D Odiete, G Bisegni, M Pratichetti, M Visentin; E Padovani, B Leonard; A di Marchi, O Fabiani, L Redolfini; A Ferreira, V Bernabo; Mauro Bergamasco (capt), F Cristiano, A van Schalwyk. Replacements: R Santamaria, A Lovotti, L Leibson, J Sarto, B Steyn, A Chillon, D Berryman, Mirco Bergamasco.

Referee: Ben Whitehouse (Wales).

Verdict: Connacht to win.