Nathan Doak starts at out-half for Ulster in Friday's BKT United Rugby Championship against Connacht, who have made 12 changes as they chase a seventh win in nine games.
Doak helped Ulster mount a second-half comeback in last weekend's loss to La Rochelle and he continues to deputise for Billy Burns, who is following return-to-play protocols after suffering a concussion.
Doak scored one of Ulster’s five tries in their 36-10 win over Connacht in September’s season opener and his promotion to the starting line-up is the only change to the backline that started against La Rochelle.
David McCann and Marcus Rea come into the pack with captain Iain Henderson moving to the second row to partner Alan O’Connor, while Nick Timoney shifts to No 8 after Duane Vermeulen was not named in the matchday 23.
While Ulster have lost their last three matches, Connacht are on a three-game winning run and welcome back their frontline players for their fifth interprovincial derby of the season.
Only Bundee Aki, Shane Delahunt and Oisín Dowling are retained from the team that beat Brive in the Challenge Cup.
Captain Jack Carty forms a half-back partnership with Caolin Blade while Aki shifts to inside centre to accommodate Tom Farrell’s inclusion in the midfield.
Ireland international Mack Hansen returns on the wing after recovering from a leg injury, forming a back three with Tiernan O’Halloran and John Porch.
Denis Buckley and Finlay Bealham pack down alongside Delahunt in the front row, Josh Murphy and Niall Murray are named at lock, while Conor Oliver and Cian Prendergast come into the back row.
Connacht director of rugby Andy Friend said: "We all realise the importance of Friday’s game in our aims for a top-eight finish this season.
"We have a number of players returning to us after a break, and have also included a few players in the 23 who impressed in the Challenge Cup, so there’s a good mix in our matchday squad.
"Games against Ulster are always hugely intense, so the winners will be the ones who front up for the full 80 minutes."
Connacht: Tiernan O’Halloran; John Porch, Tom Farrell, Bundee Aki, Mack Hansen; Jack Carty (capt), Caolin Blade; Denis Buckley, Shane Delahunt, Finlay Bealham; Josh Murphy, Niall Murray; Oisín Dowling, Conor Oliver, Cian Prendergast.
Replacements: Dave Heffernan, Peter Dooley, Dominic Robertson-McCoy, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Jarrad Butler, Kieran Marmion, David Hawkshaw, Adam Byrne.
Ulster: Mike Lowry; Ethan McIlroy, Luke Marshall, Stuart McCloskey, Rob Lyttle; Nathan Doak, John Cooney; Rory Sutherland, Tom Stewart, Marty Moore; Alan O’Connor, Iain Henderson (capt), David McCann, Marcus Rea, Nick Timoney.
Replacements: John Andrew, Eric O’Sullivan, Gareth Milasinovich, Sam Carter, Greg Jones, Dave Shanahan, Jake Flannery, Stewart Moore.
Listen to live commentary of Munster v Leinster (26 December, 7.35pm) and Connacht v Ulster (23 December, 7.35pm) on RTÉ Radio 1, or follow our live blogs on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app.
Watch live coverage of Connacht v Ulster on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
