James Norton will make his debut for Connacht, at full back, in their fourth round Celtic League encounter against Newport at the Galway Sportsground on Friday.
Norton, who has played at schools, under-19, under-21 and students level for Ireland, takes the place of Mark McHugh who has been called into the Irish squad to play Russia in Krasnoyarsk on Saturday in a World Cup qualifier.
Connacht have won their three games to date, against Borders, Cardiff and Leinster, and are second in Pool B behind Glasgow, who have also won all three games but have taken one bonus point.
The only other change to the side is at openside flanker, where Colm Rigney is selected with Paul Neville among the replacements. Hooker Marnus Uijs and flanker Johnny O'Connor return from injuries and are also named in the replacements. Gavin Duffy remains sidelined.
Ulster, meanwhile, have included the retired Paddy Johns in their back-up squad for Friday evening's match against Neath. Johns is on the bench, and the Ulster management are satisfied the former Irish second row and Ulster captain could do a job for the side if required. The province are more concerned about Johnny Bell, who sustained an ankle injury against Swansea and is also suffering from the flu.
Utility player Paddy Wallace, however, is effectively out for the entire season. As well as breaking his leg last weekend, he sustained ankle ligament damage and a four- to six-month lay-off is anticipated.
Changes to the team that started against Swansea see Ryan Constable move to centre in place of Adam Larkin; Larkin relocates to outhalf to cover for Russia-bound David Humphreys, while Neil McMillen comes into the back row for Russell Nelson.
Leinster will not finalise their side to face Cardiff in Wales until Thursday evening or Friday morning. With nine players travelling with Ireland to Krasnoyarsk, and Victor Costello injured, coach Matt Williams will spend the next few days moulding in a replacement full back, centre, left wing, two props, a hooker, two second rows and two backrows.
Munster coach Alan Gaffney faces similar problems as Munster prepare to play Swansea at Musgrave Park on Friday night. Munster will select their side today.
CONNACHT (v Newport): J Norton; T Robinson, D Yapp, T Allnutt (capt.), W Munn; E Elwood, C Keane; D McFarland, J Flannery, P Bracken, W Waugh, R Frost, M Swift, J O'Sullivan, C Rigney. Replacements: R McCormack, M Uijs, E Peters, J OConnor, E Reddan, S Moore, M McPhail.
ULSTER (v Neath): B Cunningham; J Topping, R Constable, J Bell (capt.), T Howe; A Larkin, N Doak; J Fitzpatrick, M Sexton, R Kempson, M Blair, J Davidson, W Brosnihan, N McMillen, T McWhirter. Replacements: S Best, P Shields, P Johns, N Best, C Campbell, S Stewart, S Young.
FRIDAY
Celtic League Round Four: Munster v Swansea, Musgrave Park 7.35; Connacht v Newport, Sportsgrounds 5.45; Ulster v Neath, Ravenhill Road 7.30.
SATURDAY
World Cup Qualifier: Georgia v Russia, Krasnoyarsk, Russia, 6.0 local time (11 a.m. GMT). Celtic League Round Four: Cardiff v Leinster, Cardiff Arms Park, 5.30. Under-21 Interprovincial: Munster v Ulster, Thomond Park, 2.30. Munster Senior Club (3.0): Clonakilty v Cork Constitution, Shannon Vale; Dolphin v Shannon, Musgrave Park; Garryowen v Young Munster, Dooradoyle; Highfield v Old Crescent, Woodleigh Park; Waterpark v UL Bohemian, Ballinakill. Ulster Senior League (2.30): Banbridge v Ballymena, Rifle Park; Belfast Harlequins v Dungannon, Ormeau Road; City of Derry v Portadown, Judges Road; Instonians v QUB, Shaws Bridge; Malone v Ballinahinch, Gibson Park. Leinster Senior League (3.0) Section A - Clontarf v Barnhall, Castle Avenue; Monkstown v Dublin University, Sydney Parade. Section B - Bective v Skerries, Donnybrook; Carlow v Old Wesley, Oakpark. Section C - Suttonians v UCD, Station Road, Lansdowne v Old Belvedere, Lansdowne Road. Section D - Naas v Terenure, Fournaughts, Wanderers v Greystones, Merrion Road.
SUNDAY
Connacht Senior League (3.0): Galwegians v Corinthians, Crowley Park; Connemara v Buccaneers, Monastery Field.
