Munster coach Alan Gaffney was today forced to test the depth of his squad after the upcoming international against Romania denied him of a number of key players for Friday's Celtic League game at home to Ebbw Vale.
A total of nine changes - seven of which arise because of player involvement in Saturday's international at Thomond Park - have been made from the team that beat Llanelli in their opening Pool A game last weekend.
Gaffney welcomes back captain Jim Williams who missed the game with Llanelli due to personal reasons while Killian Keane deputises for Ronan O'Gara at number 10.
John O'Neill was forced to miss the game at Stradey Park but returns in place of winger John Kelly who is on international duty.
John Hayes and Peter Stringer's commitment to the international set-up means competitive debuts for newcomers Simon Kerr and Dominic Malone while Eddie Halvey is on standby should flanker Alan Quinlan be required at Thomond Park.
Meanwhile, former international Eric Elwood is Connacht's main injury concern ahead of their Pool B game with Cardiff at the Sportsground on Friday.
The outhalf picked up a rib injury in the narrow victory over Borders at the weekend. Coach Steph Nel, however, is giving Elwood time to recover and has left the position vacant.
Flanker Paul Neville is the only other change to the side. He replaces Johnny O'Connor, who is sidelined with an ankle injury.
Johnathan Bell will lead Ulster against Edinburgh on Friday as regular captain Andy Ward is ruled out with an ankle injury.
"It is a great honour and I'm really looking forward to what I know will be a tough match. But it's in front of our home crowd and will be looking for a win," said Bell.
Second row Jeremy Davidson, a former Lion and Irish international, will find out tomorrow if a bruised hip has improved sufficiently to enable him to play.
Paddy Wallace covers for outhalf David Humprhreys, who is named among the Ireland substitutes on Saturday.
MUNSTER:J Staunton; J O'Neill, M Mullins, J Holland, M Lawlor; K Keane, D Malone; M Horan, J Blaney, S Kerr; M Galwey, M O'Driscoll; A Quinlan / E Halvey, C McMahon, J Williams (c).
Replacements: AN Other, J Fogarty, D O'Callaghan, AN Other, M Prendergast, C Mahony, D Crotty.
CONNACHT:M McHugh; T Robinson, D Yapp, T Allnutt (c), W Munn; A.N. Other, E Reddan; R McCormack, M Uijs, P Bracken; W Waugh, R Frost; M Swift, E Peters, P Neville.
Replacements: D McFarland, H Bourke, C Rigney, J O'Sullivan, C Keane, S Moore, D O'Sullivan.
ULSTER:B Cunningham; S Coulter, R Constable, J Bell (c), T Howe; P Wallace, N Doak; R Kempson, M Sexton, S Best; T McWhirter / M Blair / J Davidson; W Brosnihan, N McMillan, R Nelson.
Replacements: J Fitzpatrick, P Shields, T McWhirter / M Blair / J Davidson, N Best, K Campbell, A Larkin, S Young