Troy Nathan, Keith Matthews, Frank Murphy, Sean Cronin and team captain John Muldoon come back into the starting line-up.

Previewing Friday's clash, Connacht coach Michael Bradley said: "The win over Madrid was a case of doing our business and getting the bonus point win. But the level of performance, in terms of where we want to be playing at, was not something we were happy with.

"Montpellier's win over Worcester means this Friday's game is a top of the table clash.

"We are used to playing Montpellier and have a reasonable record against them so we will go to France in a confident frame of mind."

CONNACHT (v Montpellier): Gavin Duffy; Troy Nathan, Niva Ta'auso, Keith Matthews, Fionn Carr; Miah Nikora, Frank Murphy; Brett Wilkinson, Sean Cronin, Jamie Hagan, Michael Swift, Bernie Upton, Michael McCarthy, Johnny O'Connor, John Muldoon (capt).

Replacements: Adrian Flavin, Ronan Loughney, Conor Higgins, Andrew Browne, Mike McComish, Conor O'Loughlin, Ian Keatley, Tiernan O'Halloran.