Mack Hansen is set to make his first appearance for nine months after being named on the bench for Connacht’s pre-season friendly against Glasgow Warriors.
The Ireland international hasn’t played since suffering a dislocated shoulder against Munster on New Year’s Day, which saw him miss out on the second half of the province’s season, as well as Ireland’s summer tour of South Africa.
The 26-year-old is likely to get some minutes under his belt ahead of the start of the new BKT United Rugby Championship season in two weeks, included on an extended replacements’ bench for the friendly away to Glasgow on Saturday (6pm).
Head coach Pete Wilkins has made seven changes to his side from last week’s friendly win at home to Sale Sharks, with the notable inclusion of Josh Ioane at out-half.
The New Zealander is set to get his first outing in a Connacht shirt against the URC champions, following his summer-move from the Chiefs in Super Rugby.
Ioane partners Matthrew Devine in the half-backs, while centre David Hawkshaw and wing Shane Jennings also come in.
Joe Joyce captains the side from the second row, while there’s a start in the back row for David O’Connor, who joined from Ealing Trailfinders this summer.
Connacht (v Glasgow Warriors): Piers O’Conor; Shayne Bolton, David Hawkshaw, Cathal Forde, Shane Jennings; Josh Ioane, Matthew Devine; Denis Buckley, Dylan Tierney-Martin, Jack Aungier; Joe Joyce (capt), Darragh Murray; David O’Connor, Conor Oliver, Paul Boyle.
Replacements: Adam McBurney, Jordan Duggan, Sam Illo, Niall Murray, Oisín Dowling, Oisín McCormack, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Ben Murphy, Jack Carty, John Porch, Finn Treacy, Mack Hansen.
Meanwhile, Ulster have handed a start to their new out-half Aidan Morgan (above) as they begin their pre-season campaign at home to Benetton in Belfast on Saturday (5pm).
The Irish-qualified New Zealander, who joined from the Hurricanes in Super Rugby, will make his first appearance for the province, linking up with Nathan Doak behind the scrum.
Ulster fans will have to wait to see new signing Werner Kok, with the South African wing not among Richie Murphy’s youthful matchday squad.
The Ulster boss has named an extended 15-man replacements’ bench, including Ireland Sevens international Zac Ward.
Ward joined Ulster on a trial basis following his outstanding form at the Olympic Games in Paris, with Murphy this week revealing plans to convert him from the back row to the wing.
Ulster (v Benetton): Mike Lowry (capt); Rory Telfer, Stewart Moore, Jude Postlethwaite, Aaron Sexton; Aidan Morgan, Nathan Doak; Eric O’Sullivan, John Andrew, Corrie Barrett; Harry Sheridan, Kieran Treadwell; James McNabney, Sean Reffell, David McCann.
Replacements: James McCormick, Henry Walker, Callum Reid, Scott Wilson, Charlie Irvine, James McKillop, Alan O’Connor, Tom Brigg, Marcus Rea, David Shanahan, Conor McKee, Zac Ward, James Humphreys, Ben Carson, Jack Murphy.
Leinster complete their pre-season programme on Saturday when Leo Cullen’s side face Premiership champions Northampton Saints (2pm).
The province has made seven changes to his side for the repeat of their Champions Cup semi-final from May, with Jack Conan (above) among those coming in to captain the side.
Ross Byrne and Luke McGrath form an experienced half-back partnership, while Andrew Os𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧e and Charlie Tector are among the former Ireland U20s also included in the backline.
Loosehead Jack Boyle, hooker Gus McCarthy, and flanker Scott Penny come into the starting pack, while new signing Rabah Slimani is again named on the bench, after playing his first minutes in a Leinster shirt in last week’s defeat to Bordeaux.
