Connacht v Ulster: Teams
Ian Keatley returns to the Connacht starting XV at fly-half in place of the injured Miah Nikora, in the only change to last week.
Last Updated: 25/09/09 10:43am
Ian Keatley returns to the Connacht starting XV at fly-half in place of the injured Miah Nikora, in the only change to the team that defeated Cardiff last week.
Number eight Mike McComish continues in the side in the knowledge that the yellow card he picked up against the Ospreys in the season opener has been rescinded on appeal.
Ulster have made four changes for the derby match with captain Paddy Wallace returning to lead the side in the only change to the backs, with Ian Whitten moving to the bench.
In the pack, Tom Court comes in at loosehead in place of Bryan Young, while in the second row Dan Tuohy returns from injury at lock, pushing Neil McComb to the bench.
Robbie Diack returns to the number eight shirt with Chris Henry starting on the bench.
Ulster Rugby's Operations Director David Humphreys said: "We have been saying all along that it's about winning, particularly at Ravenhill. That's where we need to improve.
"The Magners League is very competitive and you don't get too many chances, which is why you have to take those that do come your way, be they opportunities to score tries, kick penalties or conversions or drop goals. You have to put those away.
"The players know that, of course. They're very disappointed with the result last weekend. They played well and they know they should have won. That's what makes that defeat harder to take.
"But the bottom line is that when you play well for lengthy periods there has to be something to show for it."
Connacht: 15 Gavin Duffy, 14 Brian Tuohy, 13 Troy Nathan, 12 Keith Matthews, 11 Fionn Carr, 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Frank Murphy, 8 Mike McComish, 7 Ray Ofisa, 6 John Muldoon (c), 5 Bernie Upton, 4 Andrew Browne, 3 Jamie Hagan, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 Brett Wilkinson.
Replacements:16 Adrian Flavin, 17 Robbie Morris, 18 Mike McCarthy, 19 Johnny O'Connor, 20 Conor O'Loughlin, 21 Liam Bibo, 22 Aidan Wynne.
Ulster: 15 Clinton Schifcofske, 14 Timoci Nagusa, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Paddy Wallace (c), 11 Simon Danielli, 10 Ian Humphreys, 9 Isaac Boss, 8 Robbie Diack, 7 Willie Faloon, 6 Stephen Ferris, 5 Ed O'Donoghue, 4 Dan Tuohy, 3 Brendon Botha, 2 Andy Kyriacou, 1 Tom Court.
Replacements: 16 Nigel Brady, 17 Declan Fitzpatrick, 18 Neil McComb, 19 Chris Henry, 20 Paul Marshall, 21 Ian Whitten, 22 Andrew Trimble