Connacht have named their XV to face the Scarlets ahead of their Magners League clash at the Sportsground.
Friday's fixture sees Head Coach Michael Bradley make two changes from the side that lost 34-20 against Glasgow with Robbie Morris returning at prop with Jamie Hagan dropping to the bench.
Michael Swift is also included among the replacements as Mike McComish comes into the back row with Mike McCarthy switching to lock.
Meanwhile, the Scarlets are boosted by the long-awaited return of full-back Morgan Stoddart following a seven-month absence with injury.
With six of the Welsh region's top players now on international duties under Warren Gatland, many new faces make their Magners League bow.
"Morgan's has been training very well with us, he's been taking contact for the past three weeks," said Head Coach Nigel Davies.
"He had no issues with the game last weekend [Llanelli v Aberavon] - he came through it reasonably well and he has shown up well in training. We know the kind of quality player Morgan is, so the sooner we can get him back on track the better."
Stoddart features in a back-line that includes Rhys Priestland and Tavis Knoyle, who makes his first league start. However, Davies is looking forward to seeing another player in action.
"I am really excited about Damian Welch, he hasn't many opportunities so far this season because of our other quality young locks," he said.
"Damian is somebody I have a big regard for and I think potentially he could go a long way."
And with Dafydd Jones getting a Wales call-up, World Cup Sevens star Richie Pugh earns a place in the starting line-up.
"Richie has been a breath of fresh air in terms of what he has brought into the squad," he continued.
"We can all see what Richie is capable of and I thought he had a big impact when he came on last Friday, he's probably one of the quickest back rows out there."
Form: Connacht have won just one of their last six matches against Scarlets: 20-18 at the Sportsground on 4 January 2008. Connacht have slipped to three straight defeats in the Magners League but have already beaten a Welsh side at the Sportsground this season: 18-16 over Cardiff Blues on 18 September. Scarlets have won their last three encounters in all competitions but have lost their last two matches against teams from Ireland. Scarlets only victory in their last five visits to Ireland was 17-14 in this equivalent fixture last season.
The teams:
Connacht: 15 Gavin Duffy, 14 Troy Nathan, 13 Nive Ta'auso, 12 Keith Matthews, 11 Fionn Carr, 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Frank Murphy, 8 Mike McComish, 7 Johnny O'Connor, 6 John Muldoon (capt), 5 Bernie Upton, 4 Mike McCarthy, 3 Robbie Morris, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 Brett Wilkinson.
Replacements: 16 Adrian Flavin, 17 Jamie Hagan, 18 Michael Swift, 19 Andrew Browne, 20 Conor O'Loughlin, 21 Miah Nikora, 22 Liam Bibo.
Scarlets: 15 Daniel Evans, 14 Morgan Stoddart, 13 Sean Lamont, 12 Rob Higgitt, 11 Lee Williams, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Tavis Knoyle, 8 David Lyons (capt), 7 Richie Pugh, 6 Simon Easterby, 5 Damian Welch, 4 Vernon Cooper, 3 Deacon Manu, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Iestyn Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Phil John, 17 Emyr Phillips, 18 Aaron Shingler, 19 Josh Turnbull, 20 Gareth Davies, 21 Dan Newton, 22 Gareth Maule.
Date: Friday, October 30
Kick-off: 18:30 GMT
Venue: Sportsground
Referee: Graham Knox (SRU)
Assistant Referees: Alan Rogan (IRFU), John Carvill (IRFU)
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