Connacht Rugby head coach Stuart Lancaster has named returning Ireland international Bundee Aki on the bench for his side's BKT United Rugby Championship meeting with the Hollywoodbets Sharks at the Dexcom Stadium on Saturday.
Aki is in line for an immediate return to action with Connacht, following his exploits with Ireland during the November internationals.
Cian Prendergast, Caolin Blade and Mack Hansen, who were part of the Ireland squad, are all out injured and will be further assessed next week.
Paul Boyle captains the side from openside flanker, in what is an unchanged back row from the side that started the last game against Munster, with Josh Murphy on the opposite flank and Sean Jansen at number 8.
Roscommon brothers Niall Murray and Darragh Murray are paired together in the second row, while the pack is completed by hooker Dave Heffernan, and props Jordan Duggan and Jack Aungier.
In the backs, Ben Murphy and Josh Ioane continue their partnership at 9 and 10, as do the Galway duo of Cathal Forde and Hugh Gavin in the centre. Shayne Bolton and Chay Mullins are selecting on the wings with Sean Naughton at full-back.
Lancaster in expecting a big test against the Sharks as Connacht enter into a busy spell. "Tomorrow's the start of a really important block for us, as we build on the first four games and aim to set ourselves up for success come the end of the season.
"Like any South African side the Sharks have a good mix of power up front and skill out wide, so we have to trust the processes we’ve worked on in the last few weeks, and feed off the support of the home crowd.
"We’ve a few injuries to content with, but on the flipside we can bring Sam Gilbert into the matchday squad for the first time. He has settled in well since his arrival and his skillset and versatility in the backline will be a big asset for us."
Connacht: Sean Naughton; Chay Mullins, Hugh Gavin, Cathal Forde, Shayne Bolton; Josh Ioane, Ben Murphy; Jordan Duggan, Dave Heffernan, Jack Aungier; Niall Murray, Darragh Murray; Josh Murphy, Paul Boyle (C), Sean Jansen
Replacements: Eoin de Buitlear, Denis Buckley, Sam Illo, David O'Connor, Sean O’Brien, Matthew Devine, Bundee Aki, Sam Gilbert
