James Norton will make his debut for Connacht, at full back, in their fourth round Celtic League encounter against Newport at the Galway Sportsground on Friday.
Norton, who has played at schools, under-19, under-21 and students level for Ireland, takes the place of Mark McHugh who has been called into the Irish squad to play Russia in Krasnoyarsk on Saturday in a World Cup qualifier. Connacht have won their three games to date, against Borders, Cardiff and Leinster, and are second in Pool B behind Glasgow, who have also won all three games but have taken one bonus point.
The only other change to the side is at openside flanker, where Colm Rigney is selected with Paul Neville among the replacements. Hooker Marnus Uijs and flanker Johnny O'Connor return from injuries and are also named in the replacements. Gavin Duffy remains sidelined.