Up front new flanker Nepia Fox-Matamua earns his first cap in a Connacht jersey starting in a back row with captain John Muldoon and Number 8 Eoghan Masterson.
Former Leinster lock Ben Marshall is likely to be sprung from the bench for his first official Connacht appearance.
Commenting on the team selection and the upcoming game, Lam said:
"After a rigorous but successful pre-season, the players really made selection difficult for us ahead of tomorrow's game and that was pleasing.
"I'm delighted for young Rory Parata who has had a good off-season and impressed in the warm-up games. It just highlights that if you put the work in your chance will come.
"It's always a tight and physical battle with the Dragons and we're expecting nothing different tomorrow night with both sides looking to get off to a flying start."
Connacht
15 - 9: Tiernan O'Halloran, Danie Poolman, Rory Parata, Bundee Aki, Matt Healy, Jack Carty, Kieran Marmion
1 - 8: Denis Buckley, Tom McCartney, Rodney Ah You, Quinn Roux, Andrew Browne, John Muldoon (captain), Nepia Fox-Matamua, Eoghan Masterson
Replacements: Dave Heffernan, JP Cooney, Finlay Bealham, Ben Marshall, Eoin McKeon, John Cooney, Craig Ronaldson, Fionn Carr
Unavailable / Injured: Nathan White, Ronan Loughney, Jake Heenan, Dave McSharry, Api Pewhairangi, Niyi Adeolokun, Darragh Leader, Robbie Henshaw.
CONNACHT v NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS
Friday September 4th
At the Sportsground, 7:30pm
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU, 7th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Leo Colgan, Mark Connolly (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: John Cole (IRFU)
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