Bundee Aki has been named in the Connacht team to face Leinster in tomorrow's Heineken Champions Cup clash at the Sportsground (8pm).
The Ireland centre makes a first appearances since the Six Nations clash against Scotland on 19 March.
There’s also a first start of the season for Gavin Thornbury after coming off the bench in last weekend’s URC win over Benetton in Italy.
Jarrad Butler also returns for the round-of-16 first-leg match after missing the Treviso victory through injury.
He forms a back row with flankers Cian Prendergast and Conor Oliver, while Leva Fifita partners Thornbury.
The front row of Matthew Burke, Dave Heffernan and Finlay Bealham is unchanged. Captain Jack Carty starts at 10 beside Kieran Marmion, while Aki will have Tom Farrell for company at outside centre.
A back three of full-back Tiernan O’Halloran and wingers Mack Hansen and John Porch completes the side.
As expected, Ireland and Leinster skipper Johnny Sexton returns to the visitors' squad after being rested for the last two matches.
The St Mary’s College man will be joined in the half-backs by Luke McGrath, playing inside the same back line that started the 34-19 URC win against Munster.
Hugo Keenan remains at full-back with Jimmy O’Brien, scorer of four tries in Leinster’s last European outing, and James Lowe on the wings.
Garry Ringrose once again partners Robbie Henshaw in midfield.
Leo Cullen has made wholesale changes to the front five with Cian Healy, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Ross Molony and Josh Murphy coming in.
The back row of Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan goes unchanged.
"We have made a few changes off the back of last week, a number of guys coming back in," said Cullen.
"So it is just trying to get balance in selection; Johnny is coming back in, the front row is new to last week. Combinations are important.
"In terms of going down to Galway, we know from over the years, not just in that final, but from experiences in the Sportsground, that it is a tough place to go.
"t is about being respectful of the opposition, how hard it can be on the day, it is a massive thing for Connacht to play knock-out rugby at this time of year so for us it is important to be aware of what the opposition can potentially bring, how they can disrupt our game and by extension impose their game.
"It is about making sure we are ready for all eventualities."
The teams met two weeks ago with Leinster running out 45-8 winners at the Sportsground. The second leg takes place at the Aviva Stadium on Friday week (5.30pm).
"There's a huge sense of excitement among all the players and management for tomorrow night," said Connacht boss Andy Friend.
"These are the type of games you want to be involved in, and with a capacity crowd behind us it’s going to be a great occasion and one we firmly believe we can win."
Connacht: Tiernan O'Halloran; John Porch, Tom Farrell, Bundee Aki, Mack Hansen; Jack Carty (capt), Kieran Marmion; Matthew Burke, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham; Gavin Thornbury, Leva Fifita; Cian Prendergast, Conor Oliver, Jarrad Butler.
Replacements: Dylan Tierney-Martin, Tietie Tuimauga, Jack Aungier, Oisín Dowling, Abraham Papali’i, Caolin Blade, Conor Fitzgerald, Sammy Arnold.
Leinster: Hugo Keenan; Jimmy O'Brien, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe; Johnny Sexton (capt), Luke McGrath; Cian Healy, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Ross Molony, Josh Murphy; Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan.
Replacements: James Tracy, Ed Byrne, Michael Ala’alatoa, Devin Toner, Max Deegan, Jamison Gibson-Park, Ross Byrne, Ciarán Frawley.
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