A plug connector is disclosed that has a body portion and a circuit card extending forwardly of a mating face of the connector. The circuit card is protected in place by a pair of protective flanges that extend forwardly from the body portion and which flank the circuit card to protect it from stubbing and to provide a first means for aligning the plug connector with the receptacle connector. One or more projections formed on the exterior of the plug connector provide second means for aligning the plug connector with the receptacle connector.