Connacht head coach Pat Lam has made 12 personnel and two positional changes ahead of Ulster’s visit to the Sportsground on St. Stephens Day (kick off 6pm).
Niyi Adeolokun, who switches from the left to right wing, and November Player of the Month Craig Ronaldson are the only two remaining from the backline that started against Newcastle on Sunday.
Galway man Tiernan O’Halloran returns to take his place at full back while Ronaldson is joined in the centre by the returning Bundee Aki. Matt Healy returns to start on the left wing while the half back pairing sees Jack Carty and Kieran Marmion line out together for the seventh time this season.
Up front, only Eoghan Masterson remains from last week, switching to Number 8 to allow captain John Muldoon return at blindside flanker, while Academy flanker James Connolly completes the back row.
Ultan Dillane and Aly Muldowney form the second row partnership behind the new front row trio of Finlay Bealham, Dave Heffernan and Ireland international Nathan White.
On the bench, both Ronan Loughney and AJ MacGinty have been passed fit for inclusion in this week’s match day squad. Academy players Shane Delahunt, Sean O’Brien and Rory Parata are also included among the replacements.
Connacht team to face Ulster, Saturday December 26th, 6pm
15 Tiernan O’Halloran
14 Niyi Adeolokun
13 Bundee Aki
12 Craig Ronaldson
11 Matt Healy
10 Jack Carty
9 Kieran Marmion
1 Finlay Bealham
2 Dave Heffernan
3 Nathan White
4 Ultan Dillane
5 Aly Muldowney
6 John Muldoon (captain)
7 James Connolly
8 Eoghan Masterson
Replacements:
16 Shane Delahunt
17 Ronan Loughney
18 Rodney Ah You
19 Andrew Browne
20 Sean O’Brien
21 Ian Porter
22 AJ MacGinty
23 Rory Parata