Connacht and Ulster have named their teams for Saturday's United Rugby Championship meeting at a sold-out Dexcom Stadium (Kick off - 5.30pm).
There are milestone appearances for both experienced and developing players in the Connacht team.
Denis Buckley earns his 270th cap for the club, which puts him second in Connacht’s all-time appearance list behind only John Muldoon. Year 1 Academy winger Daniel Ryan is handed a debut on the right wing.
In the backs, there’s a new-look 9/10 combo of Ben Murphy and Jack Carty, while Finn Treacy comes onto the left wing. The centre partnership of Bundee Aki and Cathal Forde is retained, as is Sam Gilbert at full-back.
Among the forwards is the experienced front row trio of Dave Heffernan and Finlay Bealham with Buckley, while Joe Joyce and David O’Connor come into the second row. Captain Cian Prendergast shifts to openside flanker, with Josh Murphy coming in at blindside and Sean Jansen starting at number 8.
Ulster have also named their team for Saturday with six changes to the starting lineup from last week’s Round 7 defeat against Leinster.
Cormac Izuchukwu returns to the starting lineup for the first time since October, after missing out through injury and illness last week alongside Harry Sheridan in the second row.
There are two changes to the starting front row, with Sam Crean starting at loosehead prop and Scott Wilson starting at tighthead. Tom Stewart retains his position at hooker following an impressive try-scoring performance against Leinster in Dublin.
The back row trio remain unchanged, with David McCann starting at blindside flanker and captain, Nick Timoney, starting at openside flanker. Juarno Augustus starts at number eight to complete the forward pack.
In the half-backs, scrum-half, Conor McKee, makes his first interprovincial start alongside Jack Murphy at ten.
There are two personnel changes in the backline, with Zac Ward coming in to start on the left flank and James Hume returning to the midfield after he missed out last week with illness.
Hume forms a formidable centre partnership with Stuart McCloskey, who retains his spot at inside centre.
The in-form Werner Kok starts on the right wing and Jacob Stockdale starts at full-back.
Kick off on Saturday evening is 5.30 and is live on Galway Bay FM in association with Screenes on the Square.
