Mack Hansen will make his Connacht debut in tomorrow night's United Rugby Championship opener away to Cardiff.
The Irish-qualified Australian starts on the wing for their game at the Cardiff Arms Park, having scored two tries for the Eagles during their Interpro meeting with Leinster A last week.
Hansen, who joined from the Brumbies in Super Rugby, is named in the back three along with his fellow Australian John Porch, and the experienced full-back Tiernan O'Halloran.
Meanwhile Tom Farrell starts in the centre, with Farrell making his first appearance since suffering a season-ending knee injury last November.
Farrell will be outside Tom Daly, with last season's Player of the Year making his 50th appearance for the province.
Ireland internationals Jack Carty and Kieran Marmion complete the backline.
Matthew Burke is alongside the experienced Shane Delahunt and Finlay Bealham in the front row, with former Leinster academy man Oisin Dowling starting with Ultan Dillane at lock.
Jarrad Butler captains the side from number eight, sandwiched between Conor Oliver and Cian Prendergast who is stepping up from the province's academy for the new season.
Meanwhile, with Caolin Blade and Colm Reilly both injured, there could be a debut for Sligo scrum-half Hubert Gilvarry off the bench.
CONNACHT SET FOR TOUGHER CHALLENGE IN NEW FORMAT
Connacht: Tiernan O'Halloran; John Porch, Tom Farrell, Tom Daly, Mack Hansen; Jack Carty, Kieran Marmion; Matthew Burke, Shane Delahunt; Oisin Dowling, Ultan Dillane; Cian Prendergast, Conor Oliver, Jarrad Butler
Replacements: Dave Heffernan, Jordan Duggan, Dominic-Robertson McCoy, Niall Murray, Paul Boyle, Hubert Gilvarry, Conor Fitzgerald, Sammy Arnold
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