CONNACHT HAVE MADE just three changes to their starting XV for Saturday’s URC meeting with Dragons at Rodney Parade (7:45pm, TG4/Premier Sports 1), with Cian Prendergast, Josh Ioane and Bundee Aki coming into the side that trounced Black Lion last time out.

Captain Prendergast and out-half Ioane have recovered from injuries in recent weeks, while Ireland centre Aki is back after a rest week.

Connacht otherwise line up unchanged, while replacement Denis Buckley is set to equal Michael Swift’s 269 appearances for the western province, putting him joint-second in Connacht’s all-time appearance list behind only John Muldoon.

Finlay Bealham is also on the bench having overcome the head injury he suffered against the Ospreys.

Hooker George Roberts and tighthead Cebo Dlamini are set to make their competitive debuts for Dragons, for whom Aaron Wainwright misses out with a niggle.

Fellow Wales internationals Ben Carter and Rio Dyer do return, at lock and wing respectively, after being rested against Lyon.

Saturday’s fixture will also mark a league debut for Scottish referee Ru Campbell.

Connacht boss Stuart Lancaster said: “Last week was pleasing for a number of reasons, but this is a different type of challenge and an important game in the context of the whole season.

“With Cian, Bundee and Josh returning, we have three experienced players whose leadership will be key in games such as this one.

“I know from past experience that Rodney Parade is a tough place to go, so we have to produce an 80-minute performance.”

Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia added: “We’re looking forward to the game and Connacht are a quality side.

“They have a good set piece, play flat and with width. Bundee Aki is a key figure in the team, and they can be very direct in midfield.

“They have big backs and their forward pack works hard. They also score the most points after eight phases [in the URC] and tend to score a lot of tries by building pressure.

“Stuart Lancaster has done a good job there, so we are excited by the challenge on Saturday under the lights.”

Dragons

15. Angus O’Brien (Captain)
14. Jared Rosser
13. Fine Inisi
12. Aneurin Owen
11. Rio Dyer
10. Tinus de Beer
9. Che Hope

1. Rodrigo Martinez
2. Oli Burrows
3. Robert Hunt
4. Levi Douglas
5. Ben Carter (Captain)
6. Ryan Woodman
7. Harry Beddall
8. Harri Keddie

Replacements:

16. George Roberts
17. Jordan Morris
18. Cebo Dlamini
19. Shane Lewis-Hughes
20. Thomas Young
21. Rhodri Williams
22. Joe Westwood
23. Huw Anderson

Connacht

15. Sam Gilbert
14. Chay Mullins
13. Cathal Forde
12. Bundee Aki
11. Shayne Bolton
10. Josh Ioane
9. Caolin Blade

1. Jordan Duggan
2. Dave Heffernan
3. Sam Illo
4. Darragh Murray
5. Niall Murray
6. Cian Prendergast (Captain)
7. Seán O’Brien
8. Paul Boyle

Replacements:

16. Dylan Tierney-Martin
17. Denis Buckley
18. Finlay Bealham
19. Josh Murphy
20. Sean Jansen
21. Ben Murphy
22. Jack Carty
23. Hugh Gavin

Referee: Ru Campbell (SRU)