Coach Michael Bradley makes two changes to the Connacht side that goes into round two of Friday's European Challenge Cup with Montpellier at Stade Sabathe. John Hearty and John Fogarty have been brought into the starting line-up for the 7.30pm local time kick-off (8.30 Irish).
Hearty replaces the injured Keith Matthews, who picked up a groin injury in last weekend's 62-17 win over Amatori Catania at the Sportsground on his way to scoring three of Connacht's 10 tries.
That haul earned Connacht a bonus point and puts them top of Pool Five with five points and superior points difference to Worcester. This will be the first game of the season that Matthews has missed, having already scored five tries in eight games. Hearty will start at outside centre with Darren Yapp moving to inside centre.
In the pack, Fogarty replaces Joe Merrigan, who moves to the bench in place of Chris Venter. Brendan O'Connor misses out with an ankle injury and is replaced on the bench by Andrew Gallagher.
Connacht travel with some degree of optimism as Montpellier may struggle to bounce back from their 36-18 defeat at Worcester.
In Leinster, Eric Miller has returned to training following a short lay-off with bad bruising to his ankle. It is a timely return for the backrow as Eddie O'Sullivan looks to field a competitive team for the eagerly-anticipated game against the All Blacks in less than three weeks' time.
Miller is expected to be included in coach Michael Cheika's squad for the weekend's second round match away to Glasgow Warriors.
Rob Kearney is also fit, having suffered from severe cramp against Bath last weekend, while front row Will Green remains doubtful for the game as he is still has a chest infection, which he picked up last week.
At international level, New Zealand back-up outhalf Luke McAlister has been ruled out of the All Blacks tour to Ireland and Britain.
The North Harbour player, who played during the summer against the Lions in the third Test match, has a torn lateral meniscus in his right knee and needs an operation.
Otago's Nick Evans will be taking his place in the squad.
Prop Greg Somerville is also rated as highly unlikely to make the trip because of a calf injury and Auckland's Saimone Taumoepeau has been called up as cover.
"It's disappointing news for Luke," said All Blacks coach Graham Henry. "The medical advice for Luke is clear. Surgery is the best option.We're holding out a little hope for Greg, but he is in a race against the clock. We need to see significant improvement in the near future."
Ali Williams, the powerful secondrow who ran through the Lions defence in the first Test, is suffering from a shoulder strain but is expected to be fit in time for the second Test against Ireland on November 12th.
New Zealand are attempting a grand slam and start their tour against Wales on November 5th, followed by games against Ireland, England and Scotland on consecutive Saturdays.
CONNACHT: M Mostyn; T Robinson, J Hearty, D Yapp, C McPhillips; P Warwick, C Keane; R Hogan, J Fogarty, S Knoop, C Short, A Farley (c), J Muldoon, M Lacey, C Rigney. Replacements: J Merrigan, D McFarland, A Gallagher, D Gannon, M Swift, C O'Loughlin, D Riordan.
