Mils Muliaina and Robbie Henshaw return for Connacht

Ireland Six Nations hero Henshaw takes number 12 shirt for trip to Gloucester

Robbie Hanshaw starts for Connacht against Gloucester in their Challenge Cup quarter-final. Photograph: Inpho

Mils Muliaina has been named in Connacht's starting line up for their Challenge Cup quarter-final away to Gloucester just a day after it was announced he will leave the province to join Zebre at the end of the season.

The centurion All Black has been plagued with injury all term but Pat Lam has opted to start him at full-back for the fixture at Kingsholm.

Robbie Henshaw, who was integral to Ireland's Six Nation Championship success, returns to the team at inside centre, with Danie Poolman taking the 13 jersey and Kieran Marmion and Jack Carty at nine and ten.

In the pack Rodney Ah You starts in the frontrow alongside Denis Buckley and Tom McCartney while John Muldoon captains the side from number eight.

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Billy Twelvetrees will captain Gloucester and go head to head with Henshaw in the centre, with James Hook and Scotland skipper Greg Laidlaw starting at halfback.

Gloucester: Stevie McColl; Charlie Sharples, Bill Meakes, Billy Twelvetrees (c), Jonny May; James Hook, Greig Laidlaw; Dan Murphy, Richard Hibbard, John Afoa, Tom Savage, Tom Palmer, Sione Kalafamoni, Matt Kvesic, Gareth Evans

Replacements: Darren Dawiduik, Nick Wood, Sila Puafisi, James Hudson, Ross Moriarty, Dan Robson, Billy Burns, Henry Purdy

Connacht: Mils Muliaina; Tiernan O'Halloran, Danie Poolman, Robbie Henshaw, Matt Healy; Jack Carty, Kieran Marmion; Denis Buckley, Tom McCartney, Rodney Ah You, Quinn Roux, Ally Muldowney, Andrew Browne, Eoghan Masterson, John Muldoon (c)

Replacements: Shane Delahunt, JP Cooney, Finlay Bealham, Mick Kearney, James Connolly, Ian Porter, Craig Ronaldson, Darragh Leader