Halfbacks Eric Elwood and Conor O'Loughlin will make their first starts of the season as Connacht welcome The Borders to The Sportsground on Saturday.

INTERNATIONAL wing Tyrone Howe returns to the Ulster squad for Saturday’s clash with Celtic League table-toppers Neath-Swansea Ospreys at Ravenhill.

Centre Mark McHugh will make his seasonal bow in a Connacht side that shows five changes for an away date at Cardiff Blues in the Celtic League on Friday evening.

CONNACHT will welcome back hooker Bernard Jackman for Saturday’s Celtic League clash with Ulster at the Galway Sportsground at 2.30pm.

Coach Michael Bradley has selected Ireland squad member Bernard Jackman and Mick Carroll as the two alterations to the Connacht side for their clash with Ulster at The Sportsground on Saturday (2.30pm).