CONNACHT HAVE MADE three changes for this weekend’s European Challenge Cup clash with Brive.

Darragh Leader, James Connolly and James Mitchell all come into the side for Saturday’s Pool 5 encounter, which kicks off at 3pm in The Sportsground.

Connacht beat Brive away last weekend, securing a 38-31 bonus point victory, and Head Coach Kieran Keane has retained 12 of the players who started that game.

Speaking ahead of the upcoming fixture, Backs Coach Nigel Carolan said: “We are hoping to use the win over Brive last weekend to kick us off to another good run of form. We have some big games coming up and maintaining a level of consistency is what we are aiming to achieve.

“We can’t afford to be complacent though. We haven’t played at home in a few weeks, so the lads are looking forward to being back out in front of a festive home crowd and producing the performance that can achieve a good result.”

Connacht:

15. Darragh Leader
14. Cian Kelleher
13. Pita Ahki
12. Bundee Aki
11. Matt Healy
10. Jack Carty
9. James Mitchell

1. Denis Buckley
2. Shane Delahunt
3. Finlay Bealham
4. Ultan Dillane
5. Quinn Roux
6. Cillian Gallagher
7. James Connolly
8. Eoghan Masterson (captain)

Replacements:

16. Tom McCartney
17. Peter McCabe
18. Conor Carey
19. James Cannon
20. John Muldoon
21. Kieran Marmion
22. Tom Farrell
23. Tiernan O’Halloran

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