Ulster have track record and desire against Connacht

Connacht have been true to their aim of making the Sportsground a fortress this season, and on their return home for the first time in six weeks rarely has a contest between these sides carried such importance. The result could conceivably reverberate through to next season.

Pat Lam's team are clinging on to sixth place and with it the final automatic qualification place for next season's European Champions Cup, while Ulster are similarly holding on to second place and with it a home semi-final in the play-offs.

Each has a team breathing down their necks on the same points tally with others also in close proximity, so a defeat here could mean potentially dropping a couple of places.

Connacht have lost only once this season, a potentially costly loss at home to Edinburgh in January, since when they have had only one league game at home, the 53-3 win over Treviso six weeks ago.

Defeat in overtime

A cruel defeat in overtime in Cardiff has been compounded by a 42-20 defeat in Munster, and they will be hopeful Munster can do them a favour against Edinburgh this weekend, especially bearing in mind eighth-placed Scarlets play Zebre.

They are boosted by the return of ex-Waikato Chiefs centre and crowd favourite Bundee Aki for his first game since he damaged his ankle in that defeat to Edinburgh. He will give them vital go-forward ball, and his return has seen Robbie Henshaw, Danie Poolman and Tiernan O'Halloran all shifting out one place, with Lam also restoring Craig Ronaldson at out-half.

Connacht also released a statement on the injured Mils Muliaina saying they had conducted their own inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Muliaina being questioned by the South Wales Police after that Gloucester game and that pending recovery from his ankle injury, he will be available for selection.

The return of George Naoupu at number eight, with John Muldoon, should also give their running game and work in contact more ballast. The Galway-born duo of Ronan Loughney and Eoin McKeon have both returned from injury to take up places on the bench, while Ultan Dillane, John Cooney and Miah Nikora also return to the squad.

Befitting the importance of the occasion, Ulster are similarly re-enforced, recalling the Ireland internationals Jared Payne, Rory Best and Tommy Bowe, with Chris Henry also restored after his return from the bench a fortnight ago, as well as Roger Wilson.

Abysmal record

With that carrot of a home semi-final and home final, Ulster have every incentive, and although Connacht are seeking an historic home clean sweep against their fellow Irish provinces, they have a particularly abysmal record against Ulster, whom they have beaten once in their last 17 meetings, here at the Sportsground in April 2012.

As well as history on their side, and a greater number of internationals, a more refreshed Ulster also appear to have more impact off the bench. Then again, Connacht have been breaking new ground, and another close finish to a hotly contested encounter is entirely possible.