Fionn Carr comes into the side on the right wing while up front John Lyne starts at looshead prop alongside Adrian Flavin at hooker. Michael Swift starts in the second row alongside Andrew Farley.
In a number of positional switches Troy Nathan reverts from wing to fullback, while McCarthy moves from the second row to the back row and Captain John Muldoon takes position on the blindside.
Connacht team:
T Nathan; F Carr, N Ta'auso, K Matthews, L Bibo; I Keatley, F Murphy; J Lyne, A Flavin, R Morris; M Swift, A Farley; M McCarthy, J Muldoon (C), C Rigney.
Replacements:
S Cronin, R Loughney, A Browne, D Gannon, K Campbell, A Dunne, M Deane.
Not considered due to injury: T Donnelly (knee), G Duffy (knee), J O'Connor (calf), M Roberts (calf).
Guinness PRO12
Suite 208, Alexandra House,
The Sweepstakes
Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, Ireland