Bundee Aki will captain Connacht in their Challenge Cup opener against Ospreys in Bridgend on Sunday.
Stuart Lancaster has made nine changes to the side that beat the Sharks last weekend for their first European outing of the season.
Midfield looks like an area of real strength for the Westerners, with two-time British and Irish Lion Aki being joined by Sam Gilbert, who will make his full debut for the province, having come off the bench against the Sharks.
The back three sees Shane Jennings make his first appearance of the season on the right wing, with Finn Treacy on the opposite side and the in-form Seán Naughton continuing at full-back.
The experienced trio of Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan and Finlay Bealham start together in the front row for the first time this season, while there's a new-look second row pairing of Joe Joyce and David O’Connor.
There’s just the one change in the back row, with Sean O’Brien coming in on the openside flank, while Josh Murphy and Sean Jansen are retained.
Year one academy centre Sean Walsh is in line for a debut from the bench. The 19-year-old, who came through the pathway system at Corinthians RFC and Coláiste Éinde, wears the number 22 jersey.
Connacht: Seán Naughton; Shane Jennings, Sam Gilbert, Bundee Aki (C), Finn Treacy; Jack Carty, Ben Murphy; Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham; Joe Joyce, David O’Connor, Josh Murphy, Seán O’Brien, Sean Jansen.
Replacements: Eoin de Buitléar, Jordan Duggan, Jack Aungier, Darragh Murray, Paul Boyle, Colm Reilly, Sean Walsh, Harry West
