Ulster make 11 changes for Munster trip
There are three changes and two positional switches amongst the backline, with Isaac Boss taking over at scrumhalf from Eoin Reddan to partner outhalf Ian Madigan.
Andrew Goodman comes in for Gordon D’Arcy at inside centre, while Fionn Carr will face his former team-mates after being named on the left wing. Fergus McFadden is switched to the right flank, with Andrew Conway moving to fullback, with Noel Reid dropping to the bench.
Connachtcoach Eric Elwood ahs made four changes to his side as they pursue a season double over the European champions after defeating them 34-6 at the Sportsground in September.
Winger Matt Healy earn his first start and cap for the province on the left flank after the 23-year-old impressed in the British and Irish cup.
Danie Poolman moves to the right wing, with Eoin Griffin resuming his centre partnership with Dave McSharry.
In the pack, Denis Buckley is named in the frontrow alongside Jason Harris Wright and Nathan White, who captains the side.
Michael Swift, who returned from injury last week and came off the bench against Munster, will partner George Naoupu in the secondrow.
MUNSTER (v Ulster, Thomond Park, Saturday, 5.30pm):D Hurley; D Howlett (capt), C Laulala, J Downey, S Zebo; I Keatley, C Murray; W du Preez, D Varley, BJ Botha; Donncha O’Callaghan, B Holland, P O’Mahony, T O’Donnell, P Butler. Replacements: M Sherry, M Horan, S Archer, Dave O’Callaghan, J Coughlan, P Stringer, R O’Gara, F Jones.
ULSTER:A D'Arcy; C Cochrane, M Allen, L Marshall, C Gilroy; N O'Connor, P Marshall; C Black, R Herring, A Macklin, L Stevenson, N McComb, R Diack, M McComish, R Wilson. Replacements:N Annett, R Lutton, T Court, A O'Connor, A Birch, M Heaney, S Olding, R Andrew.
LEINSTER (v Connacht, RDS, Saturday, 7.45pm):A Conway; F McFadden, B Macken, A Goodman, F Carr; I Madigan, I Boss; H van der Merwe, A Dundon, M Bent, B Marshall, D Toner, R Ruddock, S Jennings (capt), J Murphy. Replacements: S Cronin, J McGrath, M Ross, L Cullen, D Ryan, J Cooney, N Reid, A Byrne.
CONNACHT:R Henshaw; D Poolman, E Griffin, D McSharry, M Healy; D Parks, K Marmion; D Buckley, J Harris-Wright, N White (capt), M Swift, G Naoupu, A Browne, J O'Connor, E McKeon. Replacements (from):E Reynecke, B Wilkinson, R Loughney, M Kearney, E Grace, P O'Donohoe, M Jarvis, T O’Halloran.
