John Muldoon returns from injury to captain Connacht against Munster at the Sportsground on Sunday in a game which has been sold out since before Christmas (kick-off: 6pm).
Muldoon, who had been out of action since playing against Edinburgh in October, is a major boost ahead of the second derby of the season to be played in Galway.
There are five changes to the side which beat last time out. Liam Bibo has recovered from a hamstring injury to start on the left wing while Niva Ta'auso will make his first start at outside centre.
Up front Sean Cronin starts at hooker while Colm Rigney returns at number eight.
CONNACHT squad to face Munster on Sunday 28 December at the Sportsground, kick-off 6.00pm:
G Duffy; T Nathan, N Ta'auso, K Matthews, L Bibo; I Keatley, F Murphy; B Wilkinson, S Cronin, R Morris; M McCarthy, A Farley; J Muldoon (C), R Ofisa, C Rigney.
Replacements: A Flavin, R Loughney, A Browne, M Swift, K Campbell, A Dunne, M Deane, F Carr.
