KIERAN MARMION RETURNS to the Connacht team tomorrow evening.

The scrum-half is one of eight changes ahead of the Cardiff Blues’ visit to the Sportsground (7.35pm).

Marmion was rested last week but resumes in a young back line which also features Craig Ronaldson at centre and Niyi Adeolokun on the wing.

Prop Ronan Loughney makes his first start of the season while Nathan White, Mick Kearney, Quinn Roux and Willie Faloon also come in to the pack.

Lam said: “Up front we have some bruised bodies from the last few weeks so there is some rotation in the pack – it’s great to have some depth there to allow us to mix it up.”

The defeat in Glasgow was Connacht’s first in an otherwise impressive start to the Pro12 campaign.

Cardiff arrive out west with three defeats from their opening four games but Lam is wary of their quality, headed by Lions captain Sam Warburton.

“Getting the four points this week is the priority,” Lam said.

“While we’ll be focused on the process, the support from our fans will help us massively. Against Leinster two weeks ago, I had never experienced that sort of noise, and it would be awesome if our supporters can replicate that again and some more tomorrow night.”

Connacht (v Cardiff)

15. Darragh Leader
14. Niyi Adeolokun
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Craig Ronaldson
11. Danie Poolman
10. Jack Carty
9. Kieran Marmion

1. Ronan Loughney
2. Dave Heffernan
3. Nathan White
4. Mick Kearney
5. Quinn Roux
6. John Muldoon (c)
7. Willie Faloon
8. George Naoupu

Replacements

16. Shane Delahunt
17. Denis Buckley
18. Rodney Ah You
19. Aly Muldowney
20. Eoin McKeon
21. Ian Porter
22. Fionn Carr
23. Shane Layden

No ‘roaring and shouting’ for Munster in build-up to forwards battle in Dublin