Keith Matthews starts for Connacht for the first time since Connacht took on Glasgow in September, having overcome a calf injury. He is joined at outside centre by Mel Deane with Fionn Carr and Troy Nathan lining out on the wings.
Ian Keatley and Frank Murphy return to renew their halfback partnership while up front, hooker Sean Cronin is joined in the front row by Brett Wilkinson and Robbie Morris. Michael McCarthy and Andrew Farley team up once again in the second row while Ray Ofisa, Johnny O'Connor and Colm Rigney start in the backrow.
Tim Donnelly is named among the replacements for the first time this season having overcome a shoulder injury.
Connacht team:
G Duffy (C); F Carr, M Deane, K Matthews, T Nathan; I Keatley, F Murphy; B Wilkinson, S Cronin, R Morris; M McCarthy, A Farley; R Ofisa, J O'Connor, C Rigney.
Replacements:
A Flavin, R Loughney, A Browne, M Swift, K Campbell, T Donnelly, J Hearty.
Not considered due to injury:
Liam Bibo (calf), John Muldoon (knee), Michael Roberts (calf), Aidan Wynne (shoulder).
Guinness PRO12
Suite 208, Alexandra House,
The Sweepstakes
Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, Ireland
63x46.png){kind=logo}