Swift to return for Connacht

Three Connacht Centurions make their return to the starting lineup. Brett Wilkinson in the front row, Michael Swift in the 2nd row and John Muldoon at no 8 help make up an experienced pack which boosts 842 Connacht caps between the front 8. Swift is making his return following a hand injury which saw him miss Connacht's last 2 matches, he is partnered by former Junior All Black Bernie Upton in the 2nd row with the versatile Mike McCarthy moving to blindside flanker. Johnny O'Connor continues to captain the side at openside and John Muldoon makes his first full start at no 8 since returning from a broken arm.

The backline remains largely unchanged from last week's game against Cardiff Blues with Frank Murphy joining Ian Keatley in the halfbacks. Keatley is the Magners League 2nd highest points scorer, just 19 points behind Ospreys Dan Biggar, and has landed 72 kicks at goal as well as scoring 2 trys this season.
New Zealand Barbarian Troy Nathan and former Samoan U21 Niva Ta'auso make up the centre pairing with Fionn Carr and homegrown talent Eoin Griffin joining Irish International Gavin Duffy in the back 3.

Connacht XV to face Ulster - Ravenhill - Friday 22 April - 7.05pm Live on TG4

15 Gavin Duffy
14 Eoin Griffin
13 Niva Ta'auso
12 Troy Nathan
11 Fionn Carr
10 Ian Keatley
09 Frank Murphy
01 Brett Wilkinson
02 Sean Cronin
03 Jamie Hagan
04 Michael Swift
05 Bernie Upton
06 Mike McCarthy
07 Johnny O'Connor (C)
08 John Muldoon

16 Adrian Flavin
17 Ronan Loughney
18 Rodney Ah You
19 Andrew Browne
20 Mike McComish
21 Cillian Willis
22 Miah Nikora
23 Tiernan O'Halloran