McPhillips to start for Connacht

Conor McPhillips will start for the first time since November on the Connacht side to play The Ospreys in the Magners League at The Liberty Stadium on Saturday, kick-off at 5.30pm.

John Muldoon has recovered from a more short term injury to take his place in the middle of the back row in between Michael McCarthy and Johnny O'Connor.

Former Ireland international Matt Mostyn and up-and-comer Daniel Riordan will trade positions across the three-quarter line.

CONNACHT (v The Ospreys): G Duffy; D Riordan, M Mostyn, M Deane, A Wynne; A Dunne, C McPhillips; B Wilkinson, A Flavin, R Morris; M Swift, A Farley (C); M McCarthy, J O'Connor, J Muldoon.

Replacements: J Fogarty, R Loughney, D Gannon, R Ofisa, C Rigney, C O'Loughlin, T Donnelly.

Not considered due to injury: J Hearty (hip), K Matthews (ankle), O Treviranus (leg).