Connacht debut for Bundee Aki against Ospreys

Connacht coach Pat Lam has been forced into nine changes ahead of Friday night's meeting with Ospreys (7.35pm), with Bundee Aki set to debut at Liberty Stadium.

Aki will start at outside centre alongside Craig Ronaldson, while wing Matt Healy and outhalf Jack Carty are both recalled and 22-year-old Shane Layden is given the nod at fullback ahead of Darragh Leader, who has been released by Ireland but starts on the bench.

Rodney Ah You and Kieran Marmion start, however, after also being let go for the weekend by Joe Schmidt.

Lock Quinn Roux returns to the pack, while the Galway-born duo of John Muldoon (captain) and Eoin McKeon are named in the backrow.

“With Robbie (Henshaw) away in Ireland camp Bundee (Aki) gets his opportunity a bit earlier than expected after just arriving in the country 10 days ago,” said Lam today. “We were initially looking at Bundee for our next game with Zebre but it’s great that he’s been keen to get going as soon as possible. He’s been very open to learning quickly in training and has made a big effort in getting to know his team mates. There’ll undoubtedly be a good bit of spotlight on him tomorrow night against Ospreys, but as always it is only a team effort that can lead to a positive outcome for us.

“As foreseen, we’ve made a good few changes this week and injuries and international call-up considered, we believe we have the strongest squad possible going out there tomorrow night. We’re going down to play the top team in the league on their home ground. It is our biggest challenge of the season so far. Ospreys are a well-coached, well-drilled side with strike power all over the field. We know we will have to raise our standards considerably from last week, particularly in defence. But we’re all focused on the process of picking up as many league points as we can.”

Ieuan Jones will debut for Ospreys at number eight.

Ospreys (v Connacht): D Evans; J Hassler, A Bishop, J Matavesi, T Grabham; S Davies, M Roberts; D Jones, S Parry, A Jarvis; L Peers (captain), R Bernardo; S Lewis, J Tipuric, I Jones. Replacements: S Otten, M Thomas, D Arhip, R Thornton, J Collier, T Habberfield, A Beck, A Natoga

Connacht (v Ospreys): S Layden; N Adeolokun B Aki, C Ronaldson, M Healy; J Carty, K Marmion; D Buckley, J Harris-Wright, R Ah You; M Kearney, Q Roux; J Muldoon (captain), E McKeon, G Naoupu. Replacements: D Heffernan, J Dever, JP Cooney, A Browne, W Faloon, I Porter, D McSharry, D Leader.