Robbie Henshaw starts for Connacht in final Challenge Cup pool game

Pat Lam has named his Connacht side to face Enisei-STM in their final pool game of the European Challenge Cup and has made six changes to the starting team that lined out against Brive in France last weekend.

All four Connacht players named in the Ireland Six Nations squad this week are included for the match at the Sportsground on Saturday.

Nathan White returns to join Ultan Dillane in the pack while Robbie Henshaw and Kieran Marmion return from injury to take their place in an otherwise unchanged backline.

It is Henshaw's first start since he picked up a hand injury against Munster in November.

There is a new front row with the introduction of local players Denis Buckley and Dave Heffernan alongside White while Eoghan Masterson, named at number eight, allows captain John Muldoon return to blindside flanker.

“We know we will need a clinical and focussed performance tomorrow that ensures we take our chances and scores,” Lam said.

“Enisei will be coming here with confidence following their defeats of both Brive and Newcastle in our pool. They are a big, physical side and can do some damage if they are given a chance.

“But it’s up to us to take control of this game from the start.

“It’s great to have some guys back from injury for what is a crucial game for us in terms of our European ambitions. We are really excited to be back at the Sportsground tomorrow and we are determined to give our loyal supporters something to cheer about.”

Connacht team: 15. Tiernan O’Halloran, 14. Danie Poolman, 13. Robbie Henshaw, 12. Bundee Aki, 11. Matt Healy, 10. AJ MacGinty, 9. Kieran Marmion; 1. Denis Buckley, 2. Dave Heffernan, 3. Nathan White, 4. Ultan Dillane, 5. Aly Muldowney, 6. John Muldoon - capt., 7. James Connolly, 8. Eoghan Masterson.

Replacements: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Finlay Bealham, 18 Rodney Ah You, 19 George Naoupu, 20 Sean O’Brien, 21 Caolin Blade, 22 Jack Carty, 23 Rory Parata.