Bundee Aki, Mack Hansen and Finlay Bealham all start for the first time since the November internationals as Connacht face Leinster.
Ireland internationals, Captain Cian Prendergast and Dave Heffernan also start at the Aviva Stadium.
Elsewhere Josh Ioane returns from injury to play for the first time since the end of October. Whereas, Ben Murphy comes in at scrum-half.
Denis Buckley completes a vastly experienced front row with Heffernan and Bealham. Whereas, Josh Murphy moves to the second row to partner Darragh Murray. The in-form Paul Boyle starts at number eight, with Shamus Hurley-Langton as openside flanker.
In the backs, Cathal Forde moves to the #13 jersey alongside Aki, Piers O’Conor also returns from injury to start at full-back. Winger Shane Jennings completes the side.
“We’re under no illusions as to the task ahead of us, but that makes it all the more exciting” says Head coach Pete Wilkins.
“To play a Christmas interpro at the Aviva Stadium against one of the best teams in Europe is a brilliant opportunity to test where we’re at”.
“It’s great to have more of our international contingent back, as well as a few players returning from injury, and after the win last weekend we will travel to Dublin with plenty of optimism, albeit conscious of the challenge ahead.”
Connacht: 15. Piers O’Conor, 14. Mack Hansen, 13. Cathal Forde, 12. Bundee Aki, 11. Shane Jennings 10. Josh Ioane, 9. Ben Murphy, 1. Denis Buckley, 2. Dave Heffernan, 3. Finlay Bealham, 4. Josh Murphy, 5. Darragh Murray, 6. Cian Prendergast (C), 7. Shamus Hurley-Langton, 8. Paul Boyle
Replacements: 16. Dylan Tierney-Martin, 17. Jordan Duggan, 18. Jack Aungier, 19. Oisín Dowling, 20. Sean Jansen, 21. Caolin Blade, 22. Santiago Cordero, 23. Conor Oliver
