Jack Carty and Dave Heffernan come straight into Connacht's team following their return from Six Nations camp, ahead of tomorrow's United Rugby Championship Interpro against Leinster at the Sportsground (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player).
It's a first outing for Connacht since their 56-8 defeat to Edinburgh earlier this month, with head coach Andy Friend making seven changes from the side that were hammered in Scotland.
Denis Buckley returns to the front row alongside Heffernan and Jack Aungier, while Niall Murray replaces Leva Fifita in the second row, partnering Oisin Dowling.
Jarrad Butler comes in at number eight with Paul Boyle dropping to the bench, flanked by Cian Prendergast and Conor Oliver.
Kieran Marmion swaps with Caolin Blade at scrum-half alongside Carty, while Tom Farrell joins Tom Daly in the centre, with Sammy Arnold on the bench.
With Alex Wootton injured, Oran McNulty comes onto the left wing, while Tiernan O'Halloran returns at full-back, allowing John Porch shift across to the wing.
This will be the first of three meetings between the pair in the space of four weeks, with the sides due to face each other in the last 16 of the Heineken Cup.
With their internationals rested, Leo Cullen's side is largely second-string, but the head coach welcomes Ciarán Frawley (above) back into his side.
The centre hasn't featured since suffering a nasty facial injury in their February win against Edinburgh.
He partners Jamie Osborne in midfield, outside the settled half-back pairing of Luke McGrath and Ross Byrne.
The last line will be made up of Jimmy O'Brien at full-back, with Tommy O’Brien on his right and Rory O’Loughlin on his left.
Peter Dooley, who this summer will join Connacht, starts at loosehead, while two more Galway-bound players David Hawkshaw and Josh Murphy are on the bench.
James Tracy and Michael Ala'alatoa complete the front row, in front of locks Joe McCarthy and Ross Molony.
Rhys Ruddock, Max Deegan and Scott Penny continue at the back of the scrum.
Connacht Rugby: Tiernan O'Halloran; John Porch, Tom Farrell, Tom Daly, Oran McNulty; Jack Carty (capt), Kieran Marmion; Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Jack Aungier; Oisin Dowling, Niall Murray; Cian Prendergast, Conor Oliver, Jarrad Butler
Replacements: Jonny Murphy, Matthew Burke, Greg McGrath, Ultan Dillane, Paul Boyle, Caolin Blade, Sammy Arnold, Diarmuid Kilgallen
Leinster Rugby: Jimmy O'Brien; Tommy O'Brien, Jamie Osborne, Ciaran Frawley, Rory O'Loughlin; Ross Byrne, Luke McGrath (capt); Peter Dooley, James Tracy, Michael Ala'alatoa, Ross Molony, Joe McCarthy; Rhys Ruddock, Scott Penny, Max Deegan
Replacements: Sean Cronin, Ed Byrne, Thomas Clarkson, Josh Murphy, Martin Moloney, Nick McCarthy, David Hawkshaw, Chris Cosgrave
Ulster have been able to call upon three of their Six Nations contingent for the first of their South African games against the Stormers in Cape Town.
Mike Lowry, Rob Herring (above) and Kieran Treadwell all come straight into the team, while Iain Henderson and James Hume have been held back ahead of next week's trip to Pretoria to face the Bulls.
Herring's inclusion marks a special occasion for the hooker, who grew up in Cape Town as a Stormers fan, coming through the ranks at the Western Province.
He joins Eric O'Sullivan and Marty Moore in the front row with Alan O'Connor making his 150th Ulster appearance at lock, joined in the engine room by Treadwell.
Springbok Duane Vermeulan starts at number 8 against his former side, flanked by Greg Jones and Marcus Rea.
In the backline, it's the usual half-back pairing of John Cooney and Billy Burns, while Stewart Moore and Stuart McCloskey start in the centre.
Lowry, Craig Gilroy and Rob Lyttle complete the side, while Luke Marshall could make his first appearance since November 2020 off the bench.
Ulster Rugby: Mike Lowry, Craig Gilroy, Stewart Moore, Stuart McCloskey, Rob Lyttle, Billy Burns, John Cooney; Eric O'Sullivan, Rob Herring, Marty Moore, Alan O’Connor (Capt.), Kieran Treadwell, Greg Jones, Marcus Rea, Duane Vermeulen.
Replacements: Tom Stewart, Callum Reid, Gareth Milasinovich, Mick Kearney, Jordi Murphy, David Shanahan, Luke Marshall, Ethan McIlroy.
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Watch live coverage of Connacht v Leinster this Saturday 26 March (7pm) on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
