Connacht coach Pat Lam has made 14 changes to his side for tomorrow night’s trip to the RDS to face champions Leinster.
Aly Muldowney is the only survivor from the side that defeated Bayonne in the Challenge Cup last week.
Denis Buckley, Tom McCartney and Rodney Ah You all pack down in a new front row, with Muldowney and on-loan Leinster second row Quinn Roux behind them.
The back-row sees Jon Muldoon return to captain the side, while there are also starting spots for Eoin McKoen at blind-side and George Naoupu at number 8.
Kieran Marmion – tryscorer in Connacht’s 10-9 win against Leinster back in September – starts at scrumhalf, with Jack Carty returning beside him.
In the centre, Bundee Aki is handed a first start in his preferred position of inside centre, while Irish International Robbie Henshaw starts on the outside, while Danie Poolman, Matt Healy and Mils Muliaina complete the back three.
There could also be a Connacht debut on the cards for 21-year-old second row Ultan Dillane. The Tralee man starts on the bench tomorrow night, and head-coach pat Lam says it’s a step up he’s sure the academy prospect will savour.
“All the players are hugely excited to be involved in this game and it’s fantastic to be able to give Ultan, another promising player from our Academy, the opportunity to wear the Connacht jersey on the big stage.”
Connacht: M Muliaina, D Poolman, R Henshaw, B Aki, M Healy, J Carty, K Marmion; D Buckley, T McCartney, R Ah You, Q Roux, A Muldowney, J Muldoon, E McKeon, G Naoupu
