Mark McCall has made five changes to his Ulster side ahead of Friday night’s Heineken Cup match against Biarritz at Ravenhill.
The Ulster boss welcomes Matt McCullough and Paul Steinmetz back from injury and shifts Andrew Trimble to wing to accommodate the latter.
James Topping and Rowan Frost who both featured last week are dropped to the bench.
At scrumhalf Kieran Campbell is replaced by Isaac Boss. There is also a first start in Ulster colours for young openside flanker Stephen Ferris who replaces Neil McMillan.
Connacht coach Michael Bradley received a big boost ahead of his side’s European Challenge Cup encounter with Montpellier on Saturday.
The influential trio of Stephen Knoop, centre John Hearty and captain Andrew Farley return to the fold for the crucial game at the Sportsground.
Connacht need two wins and a bonus point front the Saturday’s game and next week’s meeting with Catania to secure a quarter-final place for a fourth year in a row.
CONNACHT: Matt Mostyn, Ted Robinson, John Hearty, Keith Matthews, Conor McPhillips, David Slemen, Chris Keane; Ray Hogan, John Fogarty, Stephen Knoop, Christian Short, Andrew Farley, John Muldoon, Matt Lacey, Colm Rigney.
Replacements Joe Merrigan, Adrian Clarke, Michael Swift, Brendan O¹Connor, Tom Tierney, Paul Warwick, Mark McHugh.
ULSTER: Bryn Cunningham; Tommy Bowe; Kevin Maggs; Paul Steinmetz; Andrew Trimble; David Humphreys; Isaac Boss;
Forwards: Bryan Young; Rory Best; Simon Best (Captain); Justin Harrison; Matt McCullough; Neil Best; Stephen Ferris; Roger Wilson
Replacements; Nigel Brady; Justin Fitzpatrick; Rowan Frost; Neil McMillan; Kieran Campbell; Adam Larkin; James Topping
