Ricky Andrew replaces the suspended Jared Payne at fullback with Craig Gilroy starting on the left wing.
Andrew Trimble who suffered concussion against Saracens, has followed the necessary return to play protocols, and starts the game on the right wing.
Paul Marshall is selected at scrumhalf alongside Paddy Jackson.
Up front, Andrew Warwick makes his first start for Ulster with Rob Herring named at hooker and Ricky Lutton selected at tighthead.
Captain, Johann Muller, is joined by Iain Henderson in the second row.
Robbie Diack starts at blindside with Nick Williams selected at Number 8 and Chris Henry continuing at openside.
There are five forwards on the bench with Niall Annett, Tom Court, Adam Macklin, Lewis Stevenson joined by backs Michael Heaney, James McKinney and Stuart McCloskey.
Darren Cave and Stephen Ferris have been rested for the game.
There are a small number of tickets remaining for the match from the extra allocation that was released on Monday. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster or ulsterrugby.com.
The game is live on BBC 2 Northern Ireland.
Ulster XV and replacements to face Connacht, RaboDirect PRO12 Ravenhill, Friday 11th April (kick off 19:05)
(15-9): R Andrew, A Trimble, T Bowe, L Marshall, C Gilroy, P Jackson, P Marshall;
(1-8): A Warwick, R Herring, R Lutton, J Muller (Captain), I Henderson, R Diack, C Henry, N Williams;
Replacements (16-23): N Annett, T Court, A Macklin, L Stevenson, S Doyle, M Heaney, J McKinney, S McCloskey.
Guinness PRO12 Ulster News
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