Connacht Must Deliver as Coaching Changes Loom and Benetton Travel Depleted

For Connacht, this weekend’s URC fixture against Benetton in Galway feels less like another round of the league and more like a defining moment in their season — a crossroads between a campaign fizzling out or finding a late surge of momentum.

The harsh reality is that Connacht’s hopes of a top-eight finish are fading fast. Their 24-19 victory over Cardiff last time out mercifully snapped a four-game losing streak, but consistency — so often their Achilles’ heel — continues to haunt them. A 3-3 home record at Dexcom Stadium is hardly the form of playoff contenders, and if Pete Wilkins’ men have any intentions of keeping their faint URC hopes alive, this weekend simply has to end in victory.

The backdrop to this game is layered in intrigue with Rod Seib suggested to be coming as attack coach to work alongside Pete Wilkins. He will needed to get some talent into the club with Santi Cordero, Piers O’Conor, Josh Ioane all likely to be gone next season and JJ Hanrahan already confirmed as going to Munster.

There’s also the Challenge Cup to consider. Connacht have secured a home run in Europe, offering not just another route to silverware but also a golden chance to raise much-needed funds for next season — a crucial element for a club always walking the financial tightrope. In that sense, keeping fans engaged and filling the new Dexcom next season becomes as important off the pitch as the results on it.

Injuries and Selection Headaches

Connacht head into this clash without key Ireland internationals Finlay Bealham, Bundee Aki, and Mack Hansen, as well as Byron Ralston, Sean Jansen, and Ben Murphy. Despite these absences, Cian Prendergast is available and captains the side from the back row.

The backline has seen significant changes, with Hugh Gavin (3rd cap) and Finn Treacy (1st cap) stepping into the starting XV. Josh Ioane starts at fly-half, forming a half-back pairing with the experienced Caolin Blade (204 caps), who will be crucial in controlling the game.

In the pack, Peter Dooley, Dave Heffernan, and Jack Aungier form the front row, with Darragh Murray and David O’Connor in the second row. Prendergast is joined in the back row by Shamus Hurley-Langton and Paul Boyle, giving Connacht plenty of physicality and work rate at the breakdown.

On the bench, Denis Buckley (258 caps) and Dylan Tierney-Martin provide front-row cover, while JJ Hanrahan and David Hawkshaw offer depth in the backs.

Key Factors for Connacht:
•Blade and Ioane will control the tempo – Connacht’s success hinges on their game management.
•The back three are untested at this level – Shayne Bolton and Finn Treacy will need to handle Benetton’s kicking game.
•Breakdown dominance – With Prendergast, Boyle, and Hurley-Langton, Connacht have the edge over a disrupted Benetton back row.

Despite missing some of their biggest names, this is a game Connacht are expected to win—and anything less than a dominant performance will be a disappointment.

Benetton Team News: Weakened but Still Dangerous

Benetton arrive in Galway severely depleted, with 14 players away on Italy duty, including key names like Niccolò and Lorenzo Cannone, Juan Ignacio Brex, Tommaso Menoncello, Paolo Garbisi, and Simone Ferrari. This level of turnover forces Marco Bortolami to dig deep into his squad, with several changes across the pack and backline.

Despite these absences, Benetton are far from pushovers. Malakai Fekitoa anchors the midfield, while Rhyno Smith and Ignacio Mendy provide attacking threats in the back three. Tomas Albornoz remains a steady presence at fly-half, though the absence of Garbisi at scrum-half means the half-back pairing will be less familiar.

Up front, Bautista Bernasconi replaces Siua Maile at hooker, while Federico Ruzza steps in for Niccolò Cannone in the second row. Jadin Kingi and Toa Halafihi slot into the back row, replacing Manuel Zuliani and Lorenzo Cannone, respectively.

Benetton’s most significant challenge will be squad cohesion. With so many changes, their defensive structure and set-piece play may suffer, but if Albornoz, Smith, and Fekitoa can link up well, they still have the firepower to test Connacht.

The Italian side were thrashed 43-0 away to Ospreys last time they travelled, and while they will be eager to avoid a repeat, the absence of their internationals means they will start as clear underdogs in Galway.

Head coach Pete Wilkins says: 

“This is the second of two games which we knew would put us back into playoff contention if we win them. We got what we needed from Cardiff, so if we can further elevate our performance and pick up another win, we’re right in the mix. Benetton are a tough, physical side who have had the better of us the last few years, so we if can front up from the start and get the crowd behind us, we’ll give ourselves every chance.” 

CONNACHT RUGBY MATCHDAY SQUAD VS BENETTON
19:35, Saturday 1st March 2025 @ Dexcom Stadium  

Number/Name/Caps
15. Piers O’Conor (13)
14. Shayne Bolton (20)
13. Hugh Gavin (3)
12. Cathal Forde (44)
11. Finn Treacy (1)
10. Josh Ioane (9)
9. Caolin Blade (204)
1. Peter Dooley (48)
2. Dave Heffernan (211)
3. Jack Aungier (79)
4. Darragh Murray (32)
5. David O’Connor (6)
6. Cian Prendergast (80) Captain
7. Shamus Hurley-Langton (50)
8. Paul Boyle (107)

16. Dylan Tierney-Martin (49)
17. Denis Buckley (258)
18. Sam Illo (28)
19. Josh Murphy (30)
20. Oisín Dowling (70)
21. Matthew Devine (11)
22. JJ Hanrahan (22)
23. David Hawkshaw (40)

Yet, even with those absences, Connacht can have few excuses here. Benetton arrive in Galway severely depleted, missing 14 players who are away with the Italian national squad. To add to the sense of transition, the club announced earlier this week that head coach Marco Bortolami will depart at the end of the season. It’s a team in flux — and Connacht must capitalise.

Bookies Back Connacht to Dominate

Though Benetton have been solid in recent URC fixtures, losing just once in their last four games, that sole defeat was a bruising 43-0 hammering away to Ospreys — a result that has shaped expectations for this weekend. Bookmakers have installed Connacht as overwhelming 1/9 favourites with a -13 handicap. In truth, given Benetton’s injury crisis and recent form, Connacht should be aiming for a far more emphatic win — a 25+ point victory wouldn’t just be expected, it’s demanded.

The historical context adds further weight. Benetton haven’t beaten an Irish province on the road since 2018, when they edged out Leinster at the RDS Arena. Their last, and only, win in Galway came back in December 2011 — a nail-biting 15-13 result. Since then, Connacht have made the Sportsground a difficult place for Italian teams to visit.

The Bottom Line

This is a test of professionalism and ruthlessness. Connacht have the odds in their favour, home support behind them, and face an understrength opponent in a state of transition. Anything less than a convincing, dominant win — the kind that reasserts belief in the squad and pleases a fanbase craving momentum — will be a disappointment.

With the Challenge Cup still offering a potential route to silverware and financial gain, and the URC playoff race all but slipping away, Connacht need to deliver a statement performance. In many ways, they simply cannot afford not to.

Key Stats:

• Connacht: 3 wins, 3 losses at Dexcom Stadium this season.
• Connacht: Only one loss in their last 6 games vs Italian opposition.
• Benetton: 1 loss in their last 4 URC fixtures.
• Benetton: Last win in Ireland was in April 2018 (vs Leinster).
• Head-to-head: 2 wins each in their last 4 meetings.
• Bookies Odds: Connacht 1/9 favourites, -13 handicap.