ULSTER HAVE MADE seven changes for their team to face Connacht in Kingspan Stadium on Stephen’s Day, while Pat Lam has named six changes to his side.
Rory Best and Tommy Bowe are both rested, meaning Roger Wilson captains Ulster on his 300th match as a professional.
Paddy Jackson replaces Ian Humphreys at 10, while Paul Marshall deputises for Ruan Pienaar at scrum-half.
On the wings, Craig Gilroy and Peter Nelson come in in place of Bowe and Michael Allen.
Rob Herring takes over from Best at hooker, while Callum Black and Wiehahn Herbst complete a new-look front row, though the rest of the pack is unchanged from the game against Ospreys last weekend.
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In addition, youngster John Andrew and Michael Heaney are among those named on the bench.
Meanwhile, Connacht have made six changes to the team that travelled to play Leinster last week.
Robbie Henshaw is rested, so Bundee Aki shifts to outside centre, and Dave McSharry comes in at 12.
On-loan John Cooney partners Jack Carty at half back, while Tom McCartney, Ronan Loughney and Finlay Bealham make up the front row.
Willie Faloon starts at openside flanker, alongside captain John Muldoon and George Naoupu.
Academy stars Eoghan Masterson and Ultan Dillane are named on the bench.
Ulster
15. Louis Ludik
14. Craig Gilroy
13. Darren Cave
12. Luke Marshall
11. Peter Nelson
10. Paddy Jackson
9. Paul Marshall
1. Callum Black
2. Rob Herring
3. Wiehahn Herbst
4. Dan Tuohy
5. Franco van der Merwe
6. Robbie Diack
7. Clive Ross
8. Roger Wilson (captain)
Replacements
16. John Andrew
17. Andrew Warwick
18. Declan Fitzpatrick
19. Alan O’Connor
20. Sean Reidy
21. Michael Heaney
22. Ian Humphreys
23. Stuart Olding.
Connacht
15. Darragh Leader
14. Danie Poolman
13. Bundee Aki
12. Dave McSharry
11. Matt Healy
10. Jack Carty
9. John Cooney
1. Ronan Loughney
2. Tom McCartney
3. Finlay Bealham
4. Quinn Roux
5. Aly Muldowney
6. John Muldoon (captain)
7. Willie Faloon
8. George Naoupu
Ulster and Connacht ring the changes ahead of Stephen's Day clash
Updated at 16.11
ULSTER HAVE MADE seven changes for their team to face Connacht in Kingspan Stadium on Stephen’s Day, while Pat Lam has named six changes to his side.
Rory Best and Tommy Bowe are both rested, meaning Roger Wilson captains Ulster on his 300th match as a professional.
Paddy Jackson replaces Ian Humphreys at 10, while Paul Marshall deputises for Ruan Pienaar at scrum-half.
On the wings, Craig Gilroy and Peter Nelson come in in place of Bowe and Michael Allen.
Rob Herring takes over from Best at hooker, while Callum Black and Wiehahn Herbst complete a new-look front row, though the rest of the pack is unchanged from the game against Ospreys last weekend.
In addition, youngster John Andrew and Michael Heaney are among those named on the bench.
Meanwhile, Connacht have made six changes to the team that travelled to play Leinster last week.
Robbie Henshaw is rested, so Bundee Aki shifts to outside centre, and Dave McSharry comes in at 12.
On-loan John Cooney partners Jack Carty at half back, while Tom McCartney, Ronan Loughney and Finlay Bealham make up the front row.
Willie Faloon starts at openside flanker, alongside captain John Muldoon and George Naoupu.
Academy stars Eoghan Masterson and Ultan Dillane are named on the bench.
Ulster
15. Louis Ludik
14. Craig Gilroy
13. Darren Cave
12. Luke Marshall
11. Peter Nelson
10. Paddy Jackson
9. Paul Marshall
1. Callum Black
2. Rob Herring
3. Wiehahn Herbst
4. Dan Tuohy
5. Franco van der Merwe
6. Robbie Diack
7. Clive Ross
8. Roger Wilson (captain)
Replacements
16. John Andrew
17. Andrew Warwick
18. Declan Fitzpatrick
19. Alan O’Connor
20. Sean Reidy
21. Michael Heaney
22. Ian Humphreys
23. Stuart Olding.
Connacht
15. Darragh Leader
14. Danie Poolman
13. Bundee Aki
12. Dave McSharry
11. Matt Healy
10. Jack Carty
9. John Cooney
1. Ronan Loughney
2. Tom McCartney
3. Finlay Bealham
4. Quinn Roux
5. Aly Muldowney
6. John Muldoon (captain)
7. Willie Faloon
8. George Naoupu
Replacements:
16. Dave Heffernan
17. Denis Buckley
18. Rodney Ah You
19. Ultan Dillane
20. Eoghan Masterson
21. Kieran Marmion
22. Craig Ronaldson
23. Mils Muliaina
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