CONNACHT CENTRE CRAIG Ronaldson will make his first Guinness Pro12 appearance since March in tomorrow’s inter-provincial meeting with Ulster at the Sportsground (19.35, TG4).

The playmaker has missed the opening weeks of this season with a thigh injury after an ankle problem curtailed his involvement in Connacht’s run to the title.

Ronaldson replaces Peter Robb as Bundee Aki’s midfield partner. Injury to Matt Healy means a recall for Cian Kelleher on the left wing with Caolin Blade filling in for Kieran Marmion, who limped out of last weekend’s win with an ankle injury.

There are three changes in the tight five with Finlay Bealham, Dave Heffernan and Andrew Browne joining the pack in place of Denis Buckley, Tom McCartney and Quinn Roux. Short-term signing Stacey Ili takes a place among the replacements.

With Charles Piutau injured, Tommy Bowe makes his first start in six months in a reshuffled Ulster backline. The in-form Louis Ludik starts in the centre while Ireland centre Jared Payne will play fullback.

Up front, Iain Henderson will wear the number six jersey, while Robbie Diack is named in the second row.

Connacht

15. Tiernan O’Halloran

14. Niyi Adeolokun

13. Bundee Aki

12. Craig Ronaldson

11. Cian Kelleher

10 Jack Carty

9. Caolin Blade

1. Finlay Bealham

2. Dave Heffernan

3. Conor Carey

4. Ultan Dillane

5. Andrew Browne

6. Eoin McKeon

7. Jake Heenan

8. John Muldoon (Capt.)

Replacements

16. Shane Delahunt

17. Ronan Loughney

18. JP Cooney

19. Lewis Stevenson

20. James Connolly

21. Stephen Kerins

22. Shane O’Leary

23. Stacey Ili

Ulster

15. Jared Payne (Capt)

14. Tommy Bowe

13. Louis Ludik

12. Darren Cave

11. Craig Gilroy

10. Paddy Jackson

9. Paul Marshall

1. Callum Black

2. Rory Best

3. Rodney Ah You

4. Robbie Diack

5. Pete Browne

6. Iain Henderson

7. Clive Ross

8. Roger Wilson

Replacements:

16. Rob Herring

17. Andy Warwick

18. Ross Kane

19. Kieran Treadwell

20. Sean Reidy

21. Dave Shanahan

22. Brett Herron

23. Rob Lyttle

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