Aki back for Connacht but Izuchukwu misses out for Ulster trip to Wales

Connacht welcome URC leaders Glasgow to Galway while Richie Murphy's Ulster are captained by Iain Henderson for the trip to the Ospreys

WESTERN FORCE: Bundee Aki is back for Connacht's Dexcom Stadium clash with URC leaders Glasgow Warriors on Saturday. Pic: James Crombie, Inpho

Connacht have made four changes from the win in Zebre for Saturday's clash against URC table toppers Glasgow Warriors at Dexcom Stadium (3pm).

Finn Treacy comes on the left wing, props Denis Buckley and the fit-again Sam Illo are drafted into the front row, and there’s a start for lock David O’Connor. 

Connacht have international experience on the bench with Academy front rowers Billy Bohan and Matthew Victory complemented by Cian Prendergast, Jack Carty and Bundee Aki. The Connacht players will again be wearing the socks of their respective clubs and schools, as an acknowledgement of their pathway to professional rugby.

Said head coach Stuart Lancaster: "We’re under no illusions that we’ve a big task ahead of us. Glasgow have won 9 on the bounce so are very well coached with quality across the pitch. But I’m also confident in our qualities both individually and collectively, so if we perform like I know we can for the full 80 minutes, we’ll give ourselves a great chance.”

Ulster welcome back four of the province's Irish Six Nations squad members into the starting XV for Saturday's clash away to the Ospreys. But Cormac Izuchukwu sustained a concussion in training this week and he will now follow World Rugby Graduated Return to Play Protocols.

In the front row, experienced prop Eric O’Sullivan starts at loosehead, with Irish international hooker Tom Stewart back in from the start. Scott Wilson starts at tighthead prop.

Captain Iain Henderson brings his leadership and experience in the second row alongside Development lock Charlie Irvine.

The 23-year-old lock scored his first Ulster try in the Round 11 victory over Cardiff Rugby at Affidea Stadium last month.

CONNACHT (v Glasgow Warriors):  S Gilbert; S Jennings, H West, C Forde, F Treacy, J Ioane (24), C Blade; D Buckley, D Tierney-Martin, S Illo; D O’Connor,  J Joyce;  P Boyle, S O’Brien, S Jansen.

Replacements: M Victory, B Bohan, J Aungier, J Murphy, C Prendergast, C Reilly, J Carty, B Aki.

ULSTER (v Ospreys): M Lowry; W Kok, J Hume, J Postlethwaite, Z Ward, J Murphy, N Doak; E O’Sullivan, T Stewart, S Wilson; I Henderson, C Irvine; M Dalton, D McCann, B Ward.

Replacements: R Herring, A Bell, B O’Connor, H Sheridan, M Rea, C McKee, J Flannery, B Carson.