Stuart McCloskey and Nick Timoney both make welcome returns for Ulster as they look to consolidate their place in the top four of the BKT United Rugby Championship this weekend against Zebre Parma.
The pair are among 10 changes made by Richie Murphy after last week's first home defeat of the season against Connacht.
McCloskey and Timoney had been unavailable for the province last week, having featured in every game for Ireland in their Guinness Six Nations campaign, while James Hume is also fit to play after missing the most recent outing due to concussion.
In a blow to the province, first choice out-half Jack Murphy is ruled out with a rib injury, and with Jake Flannery also unavailable it leaves James Humphreys - son of IRFU performance director David - in line for his first start for the province.
The 24-year-old, who has made six previous appearances for Ulster, joins Conor McKee in new half-back partnership, with Nathan Doak among the replacements.
McCloskey and Hume start together in the centre, while there is also a change at full-back with Ethan McIlroy in for Mike Lowry, who misses out due to injury.
Werner Kok and Zac Ward start on the wings, the only backs to keep their place in the side.
Murphy has changed his front row this week, with Eric O'Sullivan, Rob Herring and Tom McAllister, while props Angus Bell and Scott Wilson drop to the bench.
Iain Henderson captains the side from the second row, where he is again partnered by Joe Hopes.
David McCann keeps his place at blindside flanker, with Timoney replacing Marcus Rea at openside, while Bryn Ward - who signed his first senior contract this week - is ahead of Juarno Augustus at number 8.
Ulster Rugby: Ethan McIlroy; Werner Kok, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Zac Ward; James Humphreys, Conor McKee; Eric O'Sullivan, Rob Herring, Tom McAllister; Iain Henderson (capt), Joe Hopes; David McCann, Nick Timoney, Bryn Ward
Replacements: James McCormick, Angus Bell, Scott Wilson, Matthew Dalton, Juarno Augustus, Nathan Doak, Ben Carson Ben Moxham
Connacht have made six changes to their side as they look to continue their impressive recent form.
Stuart Lancaster's side welcome Ospreys to Dexcom Stadium on Saturday afternoon, where they will be hoping to win a fifth URC game in a row for the first time since 2018.
Captain Cian Prendergast is rested after his Six Nations involvement, while top try-scorer Sean Jansen misses out with a calf injury, but the province have retained Ireland internationals Bundee Aki, Finlay Bealham and Darragh Murray in their starting side following last week's 26-19 win away to Ulster.
Denis Buckley returns at loosehead prop after missing the last two games due to injury, packing down alongside Dave Heffernan and Bealham in a front row that boasts a combined 730 appearances for the province.
Niall Murray comes into the second row in place of Joe Joyce, where he will partner his brother Darragh, with David O'Connor providing cover at lock from the bench.
With Prendergast and Jansen both dropping out of the side, Paul Boyle comes in to captain Connacht at number 8, while Shamus Hurley-Langton returns from injury at openside flanker, and Josh Murphy continues at blindside.
Ben Murphy and Josh Ione start in the half-backs after their game-changing cameo in Belfast, with Jack Carty, who announced his retirement plans this eek, on the bench.
Aki continues in the centre where he partners Cathal Forde, while the backfield is also unchanged with Finn Treacy and Shane Jennings on the wings, and Sean Naughton at full-back.
Connacht Rugby: Sean Naughton, Shane Jennings, Cathal Forde, Bundee Aki, Finn Treacy, Josh Ioane, Ben Murphy; Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Niall Murray, Darragh Murray, Josh Murphy, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Paul Boyle (CAPT)
Replacements: Matthew Victory, Billy Bohan, Sam Illo, David O'Connor, Sean O’Brien, Matthew Devine, Jack Carty, Oisin McCormack
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