Connacht have made 12 changes for their first home interpro derby of the season at home to Leinster at the Dexcom Stadium.
Finlay Bealham, Paul Boyle and Cathal Forde the only players retained from last weekend’s win over Zebre, as Niall Murray is set to make his 100th appearance from the bench.
Josh Ioane moves to full-back with Shayne Bolton, John Devine and Daniel Ryan all starting in the outside backs, as Sean Naughton and Caolin Blade are named at half-back.
An experienced front row of Francois van Wyk, Dave Heffernan and Bealham start together for the first time as Josh Murphy, David O’Connor, Sean O’Brien, Will Connors and captain Paul Boyle rounding out the starting 15.
Former Leinster man Jerry Cahir is among the replacements alongside Murray.
Leinster have called upon Jordan Larmour and Max Deegan in their 23 for the trip, with the latter captaining the side from the blindside flank.
He is one of eight changes to the pack with Alex Usanov, Gus McCarthy, Niall Smyth, Brian Deeny, Alan Spicer, Scott Penny and James Culhane all selected.
Joey Carbery is the only player retained in the side as he partners Fintan Gunne at half-back.
Jordan Larmour takes his place on the left wing with Connor Fahy making his debut at outside centre. Alex Mullan is also set for his first Leinster cap from the bench.
Connacht: Josh Ioane; Shayne Bolton, John Devine, Cathal Forde, Daniel Ryan; Sean Naughton, Caolin Blade; Francois van Wyk, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham; Josh Murphy, David O’Connor; Sean O’Brien, Will Connors, Paul Boyle (capt).
Replacements: Matthew Victory, Jerry Cahir, Fiachna Barrett, Niall Murray, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Colm Reilly, Finn Treacy, Sam Gilbert.
Leinster: Todd Lawlor; Joshua Kenny, Connor Fahy, Charlie Tector, Jordan Larmour; Joey Carbery, Fintan Gunne; Alex Usanov, Gus McCarthy, Niall Smyth, Brian Deeny, Alan Spicer; Max Deegan (capt), Scott Penny, James Culhane.
Replacements: Stephen Smyth, Peter Dooley, Alex Mullan, Conor O’Tighearnaigh, Alex Soroka, Cormac Foley, Caspar Gabriel, Ciarán Mangan.
Munster have made seven changes to their starting side as they host the Sharks in Thomond Park on Saturday night, with Edwin Eodgbo returning from injury.
Academy centre Gordon Wood and new signing Rob Russell both make their first starts for the province, with Jack O’Donoghue captaining the side.
Former Leinster man Russell joins Shay McCarthy and Ben O’Connor in the back three, with Wood replacing the injured Sean O’Brien at outside centre. JJ Hanrahan and Ben O’Donovan also return to the fold with Charlie O’Shea named on the bench.
In the pack, Evan O’Connell, Seán Edogbo and Brian Gleeson all start, with an unchanged starting front row selected. Jeremy Loughman returns from injury to take a place on the bench, where Edwin Edogbo, Gavin Coombes and Alex Kendellen are all selected.
Munster Rugby: Ben O’Connor; Shay McCarthy, Gordon Wood, Alex Nankivell, Rob Russell; JJ Hanrahan, Ben O’Donovan; Josh Wycherley, Marnus van der Merwe, Kieran Brookes; Evan O’Connell, Fineen Wycherley; Seán Edogbo, Jack O’Donoghue (C), Brian Gleeson.
Replacements: Lee Barron, Jeremy Loughman, Michael Ala’alatoa, Edwin Edogbo, Gavin Coombes, Jake O’Riordan, Charlie O’Shea, Alex Kendellen.
James Hume is back for Ulster
Ulster have called upon the returning Rob Herring and James Hume for their clash with the Stormers on Saturday.
Loosehead prop Eric O’Sullivan starts alongside Cape Town-born hooker Herring and tighthead prop Keynan Knox with summer signings Ben Donnell and Eli Snyman named in the second row.
Cormac Izuchukwu shifts to blindside flanker, with captain David McCann moving to the openside flank. Juarno Augustus starts against his former side at number eight.
The halfback pairing sees scrum-half Matthew Devine start alongside Jack Murphy at ten.
Hume makes his return to the midfield at outside centre, with Ben Carson partnering him at inside centre.
In the back three, Zac Ward returns to the team at left wing, with Michael Lowry moving over to the right wing, while Ethan McIlroy starts at full-back.
Ulster: Ethan McIlroy; Michael Lowry, James Hume, Ben Carson, Zac Ward; Jack Murphy, Matthew Devine; Eric O’Sullivan, Rob Herring, Keynan Knox; Ben Donnell, Eli Snyman; Cormac Izuchukwu, David McCann (capt), Juarno Augustus.
Replacements: Henry Walker, Tom McAllister, Scott Wilson, Harry Sheridan, Martin Moloney, Conor McKee, Jake Flannery, Chay Mullins.
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