Robbie Henshaw among returning big guns for Connacht

Connacht head coach Pat Lam has made 13 changes from the team that started in Siberia last weekend for Saturday's round two Challenge Cup game with Brive at the Sportsground.

However, 13 of the 23-man match day squad required to tog out on Saturday made the seven-day round trip to Russia last week.

Bundee Aki and last week's try scorer Rory Parata are retained in the backline while Jack Carty, who was also in Russia, is handed the reins at outhalf. The Athlone man is joined by Ireland international Kieran Marmion at half back.

At fullback, Tiernan O'Halloran is named to captain the side for the second time this season while Robbie Henshaw and Danie Poolman also return to boost the side.

Up front, Jason Harris-Wright will make his season debut after returning from long-term injury and the hooker is joined in the front row by international props Ronan Loughney and Nathan White, who makes his 50th appearance for the province.

Having lined out for the Eagles in the B&I Cup last week, Ben Marshall returns from injury to start in the second row alongside Galway man Andrew Browne. The back row is made up of Eoghan Masterson, Player of the Month for October Nepia Fox-Matamua, and Eoin McKeon.

The entire bench for this weekend were involved in the 31-14 win over Enisei-STM six days ago.

Commenting on the team selection and the upcoming game, Pat Lam said:

“With injuries to players, we knew before the trip to Russia that we would need guys to double up for rounds one and two and we were prepared for that. While we weren’t prepared for the shortened three-day week, we have just said all week that we can’t control these things and I am impressed with the way the management and players have fronted up to get ready for this game as best we can.

“We had later starts this week and trained into the evenings to allow the guys coming back from Russia to recover as much as possible. The attitude has been really positive and upbeat. There is huge competition for places in this squad and players are raring to go.

“Three days delayed in airports and hotels gave us a good bit of time to build on our analysis on Brive and we had a good look at their win over Newcastle. We know that they are going to be very physical and a good challenge for us.

“We are really proud of our home record this season and we are looking forward to being back in front of our home supporters in the warmth of Galway tomorrow.”

CONNACHT: Tiernan O'Halloran (captain); Rory Parata, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Danie Poolman; Jack Carty, Kieran Marmion; Ronan Loughney, Jason Harris-Wright, Nathan White; Ben Marshall, Andrew Browne; Eoghan Masterson, Nepia Fox-Matamua, Eoin McKeon.

Replacements: Dave Heffernan, Conan O’Donnell, Finlay Bealham, Danny Qualter, George Naoupu, Ian Porter, Craig Ronaldson, Niyi Adeolokun.