Fionn Carr starts on the right wing for the first time since moving west from Leinster, with Michael Roberts starting on the left wing and Ireland Sevens captain Kieran Campbell has been pencilled in at scrum half.

John Hearty and Aidan Wynne form a new centre partnership, with local favourite Daniel Riordan starting at full-back and Andy Dunne taking the out-half berth.

Up front, new Connacht captain John Muldoon starts at number eight and he is joined in the back row by Ray Ofisa and Michael McCarthy.

Andrew Farley starts in the second row beside Andrew Browne while, in the front row, Adrian Flavin is flanked at hooker by John Lyne and Ronan Loughney.

CONNACHT (v Leeds): Daniel Riordan; Fionn Carr, John Hearty, Aidan Wynne, Michael Roberts; Andy Dunne, Kieran Campbell; John Lyne, Adrian Flavin, Ronan Loughney, Andrew Browne, Andrew Farley, Michael McCarthy, Ray Ofisa, John Muldoon (capt).

Replacements (from): Liam Bibo, Sean Cronin, Mel Deane, Gavin Duffy, Ian Keatley, Keith Matthews, Brian McGovern, Robbie Morris, Conor Muldoon, Frank Murphy, Troy Nathan, Johnny O'Connor, Colm Rigney, Michael Swift, Brett Wilkinson.