CONNACHT COACH PAT LAM was the last to hand his teamsheet in to the headmaster [RaboDirect Pro12 officials] today.

The new head coach has named Michael Swift as his captain for Connacht’s league opener against Zebre at The Sportsground tomorrow [5pm kick-off]. Co-captain John Muldoon starts at blindside while Gavin Duffy, the third captaincy wheel, remains on the sidelines after damaging his cheekbone in August.

Fionn Carr is back for his second stint out west and line ups on the right wing. Matt Healy is on the opposite flank, with Danie Poolman and Eoin Griffin in midfield. Robbie Henshaw has been named at fullback, with Dan Parks outhalf and Kieran Marmion at scrum-half.

The front row is made up of Brett Wilkinson, Jason Harris-Wright and Nathan White. Captain Swift is partnered by Andrew Browne in the second row. Kiwi lock Craig Clarke is named on the bench. Willie Faloon is openside and George Naoupu gets the nod at No. 8. Tomorrow’s game will not be televised so Connacht are encouraging fans to get along to support the team.

CONNACHT XV (to play Zebre): R Henshaw; F Carr, D Poolman, E Griffin, M Healy; D Parks, K Marmion; B Wilkinson, J Harris-Wright, N White; M Swift (c), A Browne; J Muldoon, W Faloon, G Naoupu.

Replacements: S Henry, R Ah You, R Loughney, A Muldowney, J Heenan, F Murphy, C Ronaldson, T O’Halloran.

Leinster, Munster and Ulster all named their matchday squads on Thursday. They are:

LEINSTER XV (to play Scarlets): D Kearney; D Fanning, F McFadden, G D’Arcy, L Fitzgerald; J Gopperth, E Reddan; J McGrath, S Cronin, M Moore; T Denton, D Toner; R Ruddock, S Jennings (c), J Murphy.

Replacements: A Dundon, J O’Connell, M Ross, M McCarthy, D Ryan, I Boss, N Reid, B Macken.

Jamie Heaslip cosies up to new Leinster head coach Matt O’Connor. INPHO/Dan Sheridan

ULSTER XV (to play Dragons): J Payne, A Trimble, L Marshall, C Farrell, D McIlwaine, P Jackson, P Marshall; C Black, R Herring, R Lutton, J Muller (c), D Tuohy, R Diack, C Henry, R Wilson.

Replacements: N Annett, T Court, D Fitzpatrick, L Stevenson, S Doyle, I Porter, J McKinney, D Cave.

MUNSTER XV (to play Edinburgh): D Hurley; R O’Mahony, C Laulala, I Dineen, J Murphy; I Keatley, D Williams; J Cronin, M Sherry, S Archer; D Foley, Do. O’Callaghan; D O’Callaghan, S Dougall, J Coughlan (c).

Replacements: D Varley, D Kilcoyne, J Ryan, B Holland, T O’Donnell, C Sheridan, JJ Hanrahan, C Bohane.

Ulster and Leinster are in action tonight, while Connacht and Munster kick off their seasons on Saturday.

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This slick Pro12 promo should get you pumped for the new season