Pat Lam has made four changes to his Connacht side for Saturday’s Pro 12 clash with the Ospreys.
With the teams below them not playing until Sunday, table -toppers Connacht have the chance to extend their lead at the Sportsground against the Swansea-based side.
Kieran Marmion and Finlay Bealham were both released by Ireland this week but have to settle for a place on the bench with Caolin Blade and Rodney Ah You taking the nine and three jerseys respectively.
With Ultan Dillane in line to make his international debut for Ireland against England on Saturday, George Naoupu starts at secondrow, while Sean O'Brien starts in the backrow.
Lam said: “Although we’re playing at home, we are under no illusions as to the quality of the team we’re playing and the challenge we face.
“We respect what Ospreys have done as a team. They have won this competition on two occasions already and have consistently been in the top 4 over the years with quality squad depth. They’re certainly in form, having lost just one game in their last nine and we know they will be hungry to continue their climb up the table.”
Connacht: Tiernan O'Halloran, Niyi Adeolokun, Bundee Aki, Craig Ronaldson, Matt Healy, AJ MacGinty, Caolin Blade, Denis Buckley, Tom McCartney, Rodney Ah You, George Naoupu, Aly Muldowney, Sean O'Brien, Jake Heenan, John Muldoon. Replacements: Dave Heffernan, Ronan Loughney, Finlay Bealham, Ben Marshall, James Connolly, Kieran Marmion, Peter Robb, Danie Poolman
Ospreys: Dan Evans, Jeff Hassler, JJ Engelbrecht, Josh Matavesi, Ben John, Sam Davies, Rhys Webb, Paul James, Sam Parry, Dmitri Arhip, James King, Rory Thornton, Joe Bearman, Olly Cracknell, Dan Baker. Replacements: Scott Otten, Gareth Thomas, Aaron Jarvis, Rynier Bernardo, Jordan Collier, Brendon Leonard, Owen Watkin, Eli Walker
