Aki and Ioane return for Connacht side to play Munster

Connacht face Munster at a sold-out Dexcom Stadium while Leinster play the Lions at the Aviva Stadium

Josh Ioane returns from his return-to-play protocols to start at out-half for Connacht against Munster. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Connacht head coach Stuart Lancaster has shuffled his deck for Saturday's URC clash against Munster. Their team shows nine changes from the side which lost to the Lions a fortnight ago.

A 12,000 attendance is expected at Dexcom Stadium for Connacht's final home game of the season. They currently sit ninth in the URC table, three points and one spot outside the playoff places.

Cian Prendergast captains the side in a strong-looking back row with Shamus Hurley-Langton and Sean Jansen, while Josh Murphy is selected to partner Darragh Murray in the second row. The back is completed by props Billy Bohan and Sam Illo, while Dylan Tierney-Martin starts at hooker with Dave Heffernan ruled out through injury.

Josh Ioane returns from his return-to-play protocols to start at out-half, with Ben Murphy alongside him. Bundee Aki comes back into the starting XV at inside centre, where he’ll be partnered by Harry West. Wingers Shayne Bolton and Shane Jennings, and full-back Sam Gilbert, completes the side.

Jack Carty is named among the replacements, in what will be his final appearance at the Galway venue before retirement.

“The importance of this game is not lost on us," said Lancaster.

"We’ve put ourselves back in the hunt for a playoff spot, and now we need to make sure we bring it to the final day and give ourselves a fighting chance.

"With a sold-out crowd I know our supporters will get behind us and the players are really excited about playing in front of them again. Interpro games always mean a lot and this one is no exception.”

Meanwhile, James Ryan captains the Leinster side which will face the Lions at the Aviva on Saturday evening. Brian Deeny will partner Ryan in the second row, while Thomas Clarkson and Ed Byrne will pack down either side of John McKee in the front row.

Max Deegan returns at blindside flanker, with Will Connors on the opposite side and James Culhane at number eight.

Sam Prendergast starts at out-half with Luke McGrath his partner at scrum-half, while Jamie Osborne is paired with Rieko Ioane in the centre.

Joshua Kenny and Jimmy O'Brien have been named on the wings with Ciarán Frawley at full-back.

CONNACHT: Sam Gilbert; Shane Jennings, Harry West, Bundee Aki, Shayne Bolton; Josh Ioane, Ben Murphy; Billy Bohan, Dylan Tierney-Martin, Sam Illo; Darragh Murray, Josh Murphy; Cian Prendergast, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Sean Jansen.

Replacements: Eoin de Buitléar, Peter Dooley, Finlay Bealham, Joe Joyce, Paul Boyle, Matthew Devine, Jack Carty, Seán Naughton

LEINSTER: Ciarán Frawley; Joshua Kenny, Rieko Ioane, Jamie Osborne, Jimmy O’Brien; Sam Prendergast, Luke McGrath; Ed Byrne, John McKee, Thomas Clarkson; Brian Deeny, James Ryan; Max Deegan, Will Connors, James Culhane.

Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Andrew Porter, Rabah Slimani, Diarmuid Mangan, Scott Penny, Fintan Gunne, Hugh Cooney, Hugo Keenan