Ultan Dillane and Bundee Aki return to the Connacht starting line-up for their Champions Cup opener against Montpellier in the Sportsground on Sunday (1pm kick-off).
The return of Dillane is a much-needed boost for the western side, who are coping with a number of injuries in the forwards with Gavin Thornbury, Quinn Roux and Sean O'Brien all ruled out.
Dillane comes into the second row alongside Sligo man and former Ireland Under 20 international Cillian Gallagher.
In the front row, the inclusion of Dominic Robertson-McCoy is the only change from last weekend. The tight-head prop lines up alongside experienced hooker Tom McCartney and Denis Buckley at loose-head.
In the back-row, Colby Fainga'a comes in at blindside with Jarrad Butler at openside and Paul Boyle in his now familiar number 8 jersey.
For Aki, it is his first start for the province since returning from the World Cup, having come off the bench in their chastening Pro 14 defeat at home to Leinster last weekend.
The Ireland centre will be partnered by Kyle Godwin in midfield while Darragh Leader, Matt Healy and Niyi Adeolokun make up the back three.
Caolin Blade and Jack Carty are again the men pulling the strings in the half-backs.
It is Connacht's first appearance in Europe's premier club competition since the 2016-17 season when they won four of six pool games and missed out on the quarter-finals by the narrowest of margins, following a 19-10 defeat away to Toulouse in week six.
Speaking about the team announcement, head coach Andy Friend was enthused about the return of the two Irish internationals, Dillane and Aki.
"We have received a boost this week with Ultan Dillane and Matt Healy returning from injury and Bundee Aki back in the starting side," said Friend.
"They bring a huge amount of experience at this level and that will be invaluable to us. We are looking forward to the game on Sunday and we know the importance of getting off to a good start in this competition, especially at home."
Connacht: Darragh Leader, Niyi Adeolokun, Kyle Godwin, Bundee Aki, Matt Healy, Jack Carty, Caolin Blade; Denis Buckley, Tom McCartney, Dominic Robertson-McCoy, Cillian Gallagher, Ultan Dillane, Colby Fainga'a, Jarrad Butler (C), Paul Boyle.
Replacements: Dave Heffernan, Matthew Burke, Conor Kenny, Eoghan Masterson, Robin Copeland, Stephen Kerins, Tom Daly, John Porch
