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 one or more protective flanges that extend forwardly from the body portion and which flank the circuit card to protect it from stubbing and to provide a means for aligning the plug connector with the receptacle connector. The body portion has a hollow frame that supports the circuit card and the interior of the frame is filled with a molding material, such as plastic.