Connacht coach Pat Lam has made seven personnel changes to his side for their trip to face Ulster in the Pro12 at Kingspan Stadium tomorrow night, kick-off 7.35pm.
Since the victory over Leinster last time out Tiernan O’Halloran has suffered a quad injury in training meaning Robbie Henshaw will line out at full back. The midfield partnership of Bundee Aki and Peter Robb is retained.
Shane O’Leary is at outhalf for his first League start, while scrum-half John Cooney, on his return from injury, takes over from Kieran Marmionwho is also sidelined this week with a minor quad injury.
Up front, Rodney Ah You comes in for the injured Nathan White, while Andrew Browne forms a new second row partnership with Aly Muldowney.
Captain John Muldoon shifts to blindside flanker in a back row with Academy player James Connolly and Eoin McKeon.
Ireland international Ultan Dillane comes on to the bench for his first Connacht game since his involvement in the Six Nations.
Also included among the replacements is utility back Cormac Brennan from year one of the Academy. This is the first match day involvement for the 21-year-old who plays his club rugby with Galwegians RFC.
Pat Lam said: “Our squad depth is strong in all positions except 10 and 15 so to lose AJ (MacGinty) to injury, have Shane (O’Leary) go down with sickness at the start of a short week and then have Tiernan (O’Halloran) and Kieran (Marmion) drop out with injuries at kicking practise, it is a challenge to say the least.
“However once again I believe it is an opportunity for us to strengthen our resolve and continue to rely on our team systems and work ethic.
“History and the short turnaround is certainly against us for the massive physical challenge that awaits us from Ulster, but we go there knowing that focussing on the quality of our team performance will give us the best chance of getting the points on offer.”
Connacht: Robbie Henshaw; Niyi Adeolokun, Bundee Aki, Peter Robb, Matt Healy; Shane O’Leary, John Cooney; Denis Buckley, Tom McCartney, Rodney Ah You; Andrew Browne, Aly Muldowney; John Muldoon (captain), James Connolly, Eoin McKeon,
Replacements: Dave Heffernan, Ronan Loughney, Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, Sean O’Brien, Caolin Blade, Cormac Brennan, Danie Poolman.
Ulster boss Les Kiss makes five changes to his side, welcoming back Irish internationals Rory Best, Andrew Trimble, Jared Payne and Iain Henderson, who makes his first start since sustaining a serious hamstring injury in December.
Rob Herring makes way for Best in the front row following Ireland's Six Nations campaign. Callum Black retains his position at loosehead, as does Ricky Lutton at tighthead.
Pete Browne replaces the injured Alan O'Connor in the second row, partnering Franco van der Merwe.
Henderson returns in the back row, and is joined by Chris Henry and Roger Wilson, who steps in for the injured Nick Williams.
Paddy Jackson and Ruan Pienaar continue their half-back partnership.
Jared Payne and Andrew Trimble are back to full fitness and they replace Stuart Olding and Rory Scholes, with Payne lining out at full-back. Stuart McCloskey continues to partner Luke Marshall in the midfield.
Paul Marshall, Stuart Olding and Darren Cave will provide backline cover while Rob Herring, Kyle McCall, Bronson Ross, Robbie Diack and Sean Reidy are named as the forward replacements.
Ulster: J Payne; A Trimble, L Marshall, S McCloskey, C Gilroy; P Jackson, R Pienaar; C Black, R Best (C), R Lutton; P Browne, F van der Merwe; I Henderson, C Henry, R Wilson.
Replacements: R Herring, K McCall, B Ross, R Diack, S Reidy, P Marshall, S Olding, D Cave.
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