THE CONNACHT TEAM to play Ulster in the St Stephen’s Day’s Guinness Pro12 fixture at the Sportsground (6.00pm) shows 12 personnel changes from their European Challenge Cup defeat to Newcastle Falcons last weekend.

John Muldoon returns to captain Connacht against Ulster. Ashley Crowden / INPHO Ashley Crowden / INPHO / INPHO

Niyi Adeolokun, who switches from the left to right wing, and Craig Ronaldson are the only members of Pat Lam’s backline who have been retained. Up front, Eoghan Masterson is the lone survivor.

Connacht (v Ulster):

15. Tiernan O’Halloran
14. Niyi Adeolokun
13. Bundee Aki
12. Craig Ronaldson
11. Matt Healy
10. Jack Carty
9. Kieran Marmion

1. Finlay Bealham
2. Dave Heffernan
3. Nathan White
4. Ultan Dillane
5. Aly Muldowney
6. John Muldoon (captain)
7. James Connolly
8. Eoghan Masterson

Replacements:

16. Shane Delahunt
17. Ronan Loughney
18. Rodney Ah You
19. Andrew Browne
20. Sean O’Brien
21. Ian Porter
22. AJ MacGinty
23. Rory Parata

Best earns a rest as Ulster make four changes for trip to Connacht

No place for Keatley, as O’Donnell poised to make his Munster comeback